Page 101 of Chicago Sin

I search my brain for something to say and finally land on, “How was your day?”

Her mouth turns down. “Slow. But Tuesdays are always slow.” She butters one of the mini muffins they brought in a bread basket. “I’m still working on what you said. Just trying new things.” She takes a sip of wine.

“Yeah?” I encourage.

“Yeah. I have some ideas.”

I lean forward. “Good. That’s good. Like what?”

She shrugs, flushing a little. “A lot of ideas. I don’t know which ones are good or where to start.”

“You never do.”

“I finally started an Instagram account and posted some of my favorite creations on it. Josie’s been telling me forever to get on there.”

Instagram. There's all this new social media shit out since I went in the pen. I guess I’d heard of Instagram before I went in, but I haven’t been on it. I nod, making a mental note to check it out and check out her account. “That’s great.”

“There’s this competition in a couple months. An arrangement contest. Mary Alice got second place in it once. I mean, I don’t think it would directly translate to business, but it might help build my reputation. For people who don’t trust the business with Mary Alice gone.”

“Or people who have just never heard of Garden of Eden. That’s a great idea. So you’re going to enter?”

She nibbles her lower lip. “Maybe. I don’t know. It’s an idea.”

“It’s a great idea.” I try to figure out why she even hesitates. Seems like a no-brainer to me. “Is there an entry fee?”

“Um, yeah, but it’s not horrible. Like one-seventy-five or something.”

“I’ll pay it,” I offer right away. Not like charity but just to take money out of the equation. If that’s part of her deliberation.

She brightens, a faint smile appearing. “Thanks. You really think I should?”

“You’re doing it,” I say firmly. “What are your other ideas?”

“Well, this is weird, but… do you have any connections with mortuaries?”

“What for?”

“Weddings are big money, but they’re also a lot of work. Casket flowers are easy money. I need to get in with some mortuaries, so they recommend me or automatically use me when they’re making the arrangements.”

I nod. “I’ll find out. I might have a hookup. Let me see.” Seems to me that every funeral I’d been to for the Family had been out of the same funeral home. I just had to ask my ma about it. “What else?”

“Weddings. I stopped at Hotel Casper, but I need to go visit all the event centers around, so they’ll think of me for meetings or weddings or whatever they’re hosting.”

“That’s good.”

“The thing is, I hate that part. I like arranging flowers, but the networking part freaks me out.”

I shake my head. “Nah. You got this. Like I told you when you stopped at that first hotel, you’re beautiful, inside and out. Your flowers are beautiful. Everyone’s gonna want to do business with you.”

She searches my face like she’s looking for any clue I’m blowing smoke up her ass.

“I promise, Flowers.”

Our food comes, and I pick up my burger and take a big bite. It’s good—better than I expected. “Any other ideas?” I prompt.

It seems I do remember how to have a conversation once I get myself into it.

Hannah’s shoulders tighten. “I don’t know.” She uses one of those doubtful tones.