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“Oh yes.”

Leighton sent Jamie a grin. They were on the same page as far as the bar went. Leighton knew what she didn’t know, and Jamie was the coffee and doughnut queen of New York. A breeze hit and offered cool relief from the warm city air that clung. Jamie studied her, and Leighton would have given anything to know what thoughts moved through her mind.

“It’s intriguing. Your proposal,” Jamie said finally. She let her head lean to one side.

“So, youareconsidering it.” Leighton nodded, absorbing the information. It was good news, but she wanted to go slow. Do this thing right. Her heart thudded at the idea of this new partnership. Maybe this was her way of making amends for the damage she’d done. It felt fitting, assisting with the bar’s growth “I wasn’t sure if you were just being polite.”

“I feel no pull to be polite to you. At all.”

“Understood. And I get it.”

Jamie held out a hand. “Let’s talk soon.”

Leighton took it, closing her hand over Jamie’s. Firm handshake. “You’re on. Maybe bring some of those tiny sugary doughnuts next time.”

“Nope.” Jamie tossed a look over her shoulder from down the sidewalk. “Don’t press your luck.”

“Got it.” Leighton nodded and took a minute on her own to ruminate on the very strange, and not unwelcome evening. With her hands on her hips, she took a cleansing breath and let the night wash over her, excited for this new prospect, intrigued with herself for eveninitiating such an impulsive offer. Also? She was quite pleased that she had.

“Leighton Morrow, something important is churning in that head of yours.” She turned to see Jessica strolling her way, still wearing a black and purple dress and heels, relics from the long ago workday. So much had happened since five p.m. Leighton Time.

“You’re not wrong.”

“Oh?” she asked as her personal town car arrived at the curb.

“It’s too soon to talk about, but something interesting might be in the works. Stay tuned, Lennox.”

“I love suspense.” She winked and slid inside.

“Hugs to Brooklyn,” Leighton said through the open window.

“From you maybe. I have a little more to offer tonight.” With a four fingered wave, Jessica was carried off into the twinkling lights of the skyline. Leighton smiled after her. Alone and feeling freer than normal, she decided to walk a bit, stretch her calf muscles, and lose herself in thought. She had a few things on her mind worthy of marination. Plus, summer in the city was actually quite beautiful.

Chapter Eleven

“Things are starting to disappear from the list,” Clarissa said as she scrolled her wedding registry on her phone. “And did I tell you that RSVPs are starting to roll in.”

“Can you even believe it?” Jamie said from her spot on Clarissa’s couch. “I can’t, and I’m not even you.”

“Jamie. I’m going to be a bride. And my mother will be forced to attend a lesbian wedding. That’s the best part, honestly. I love watching her pretend to be comfortable.”

“She’s trying. That’s important.” Jamie lifted her shoulders to her ears. “Just think of it. You. A married lady.”

“I’ll need to learn to knit, probably. Don’t married people do that on weeknights in front of the TV? I can’t have a cold wife. She’ll need scarves and gloves.”

“I agree. Knitting is a matrimonial requirement. It’s your announcement to the world that you’ve settled down and no one else gets to take your clothes off. I bet Marjorie would teach you.”

“Did you know she’s a bistichtual?”

Jamie blinked. “That might be my favorite thing you’ve ever told me. Define this word. My dad would love it.”

“Marjorie asked if she could be in our queer club if she was bistichtual, and laughed. Apparently, it means you both knit and crochet. Two kinds of stitching.”

“That’s amazing.”

“She was incredibly proud of herself for that one.” Clarissa sat upright on the couch. “Oh, somebody snatched up the PlayStation?Tara is going to sob with joy. She tossed that on to the registry just for fun.”

Jamie shrugged. “People get tired of buying plates and towels. I’m actually kind of sad I missed it.”