Page 9 of February (New Orleans #2)

B ridgette walked into the office, surprised to see that the big open space was empty. She sat her bag on her desk and turned toward the conference room, finding her parents in their office next to it. Dan and the other two employees were in the conference room itself, along with Monica, who looked up and gave Bridgette an unreadable expression before returning her attention to the employees in front of her.

“Mom?” Bridgette asked after opening the door to the office.

“Hi, honey.”

“Morning, sweetheart,” her dad said as he looked up from his computer.

“What’s everyone doing in the conference room with Monica?”

“She asked to talk to them.”

“Do they know why she’s here?” Bridgette closed the door behind her.

“Not yet, no,” her dad replied. “She’s just asking them questions about our processes, mainly, and trying to covertly gauge if they’d be interested in staying on.”

“She’s very thorough, isn’t she?”

“She’s doing us a favor,” her dad reminded.

“I know. You keep telling me that,” Bridgette replied.

“Honey, we need her to give us a good price for the business. The family favor will only go so far. She has to see that there’s value here, or we won’t make enough to pay a decent severance to those we have to lay off. That includes you. We want to make sure you’re taken care of.”

“I doubt she does,” Bridgette stated.

“Well, maybe if you tried being nice to her, she might consult with you, and you could tell her whatever you think she should know about the business.”

“She doesn’t want to talk to me.”

“Why do you think that?” her father asked.

“Just a feeling I get,” she replied.

“Have you considered maybe showing her around the city?”

“What? Why would I do that?”

“Bridgette, I know we raised you better than this,” her mom said.

“Don’t pull that card, Mom.”

“What card?”

“The motherly guilt trip card.”

“Is it working?” her mom asked.

Her father laughed.

“Mom, she’s here for business. And if you asked her to describe New Orleans, she would probably just tell you more about her hotel or the spa treatments she’s received so far.”

“Why don’t you change that? You know this city like the back of your hand. At lunch, walk her around a bit. You’re the one who wants to stay here and will need a job. Consider this your chance to tell her how much you love this place and how you could work for her company remotely from here because it’s, I don’t know, inspirational.”

“She would say no,” Bridgette said.

“You won’t know that until you ask her.”

“Mom, come on. Don’t make me do this.”

“You’re an adult. You can do what you want.”

“But technically, we are her bosses,” her father said.

“Dad!”

“Come on, Bridge. Just take the woman for a walk or something. Get some food. Talk to her a bit. We need this to work, honey,” he replied. “And if it works out for you, too, that’s all the better.”

Bridgette didn’t get a chance to respond, though, because there was a knock at the door behind her, startling her. She turned around and opened the door to see Monica standing there, again with that unreadable expression on her face.

“We don’t want any fancy coffee. Thanks,” she joked.

Monica tilted her head to the side, but Bridgette had to have imagined that small smile she’d given her.

“I wanted to tell your parents that I’m done with the employees for now,” Monica replied.

“Great.” Bridgette’s mom stood. “I was thinking that it might be nice for Bridgette to take you around the city for a bit today. Would that be something you’d be interested in?”

“Around the city… with Bridgette?” the woman asked, which made Bridgette feel like she’d been right in assuming that she’d hate the idea.

“Yes. You said you’ve never been here, and it really is a beautiful place. My husband and I are obviously familiar, but Bridgette knows it best.”

“I know it,” Dan said from behind Monica. “I could take you around, if you want.”

Monica turned to him and then back to Bridgette with wide eyes. Why Bridgette felt the need to save this woman for the second time in two days was beyond her, so she chose to think about it in a different way, as maybe saving Dan from making a fool out of himself.

She cleared her throat and replied, “I’ve got it, Dan. Thanks, though.”

“I don’t know that I really need to see the city,” Monica added. “I’d rather focus on the numbers.”

“The numbers are important, but you need to understand the place that…” Bridgette paused as she internally rolled her eyes at what she was about to say. “Inspires us to create our cards.”

Monica leaned in and said, “You look how you looked last night; like you’re about to throw up.”

“Throw up?” Bridgette’s mom asked, having heard it despite Monica’s low volume.

“Nothing, Mom. Inside joke,” she replied. “We should go, if you want to,” she added to Monica.

“I guess so,” Monica said.

While she waited for Monica to send a few emails and get ready to go, Bridgette opened her computer at her desk and looked up what she needed. Deciding that it would have to work, she closed the laptop, grabbed her wallet, keys, and phone, choosing to leave everything else behind, and stood just as Monica emerged with her massive designer purse.

“You won’t need that,” Bridgette told her when she saw it. “And you’re wearing heels.”

“I wasn’t prepared for a walking tour today.”

“We’ll stop by your hotel, and you can change into flats or something.”

“How do you know I brought flats?”

“I saw them last night,” she said.

“I brought tennis shoes, too.”

“Those won’t go with your business suit.”

“Well, maybe I’ll change that, too, then,” Monica said.

“Fine by me,” Bridgette replied. “Do I need to drive us to the hotel, or can we walk there?”

“Why don’t you meet me at my favorite… what did you call it, crappy chain brand coffee place at the end of the block?” Monica joked.

◆◆◆

“Just give me five minutes,” Monica said as she pushed open the door to her room.

Bridgette felt strange about following her inside, but waiting down in the lobby or back at the office felt stranger. Dan had been very interested in showing Monica around, given his expression, and Bridgette knew he was well-meaning, but she wanted him to end up with a job offer out of this, if he wanted, and didn’t want him to ruin his chances.

“Sure,” she replied, letting the door slam closed behind her. “Shit. Sorry. Heavy doors here. Likely to keep the riffraff out.”

Bridgette rolled her eyes at herself, not believing she’d just said that out loud.

“Well, they didn’t work: you’re already here,” Monica teased. “Make yourself at home, Bridgette. The view is nice, but you’d probably just find something wrong with it. I’ll be in the bathroom. I just need a minute.”

When Monica took what looked like a pile of clothes into the bathroom and closed the door behind her, Bridgette slowly made her way over to the window overlooking the river, noticing a red lace bra peeking out of the suitcase on the rack. She didn’t want to, but she thought about how good Monica would look in it and tried to focus on the view outside the window instead.

“So, what did you find?” Monica asked.

Bridgette turned around, startled a bit, and took Monica in.

“Huh?”

“What did you find wrong with my view? Is the window frame made of solid gold or something?”

Monica was wearing a lighter pair of jeans than the night before, and she’d put her hair back into a ponytail instead of in the clip it had been in for the day. She was wearing a blue cardigan over the white button-down she’d had on earlier, and she also had on a pair of white and black tennis shoes that looked like they’d cost more than Bridgette’s monthly rent. She looked comfortable in her elevated casual clothes.

“Nothing. It’s perfect, of course. Should we go?”

“Sure,” Monica said. “And if you want to just skip this and tell your parents that we did the walking around thing, we can. I can work from here for a few hours and go back to the office looking winded or something.”

“You should leave the big bag. Do you have a smaller purse or something?” Bridgette asked.

“I have a clutch, but that’s more for the evening.”

Bridgette laughed and told her, “No. At least you have pockets. Just bring your wallet, your phone, and your room key.”

“Why?”

“Parts of the city are crowded even during the day, so you’ll be bumping everyone with that thing. Besides, it’s easier for them to steal it. They can see that bag all the way from Baton Rouge,” she joked.

“I don’t usually leave my bag.”

“Well, it’s up to you.”

Monica looked down at it and removed a large wallet that would not fit in a pocket. Bridgette watched as she pulled out a few credit cards, her ID, and some cash. She stuffed it into the front pocket of her jeans and placed her phone into her back pocket, along with her room key in the other one.

“Ready?” Bridgette asked.

“I think so.”

“Let’s go, then.”

◆◆◆

“NOLA Guides?” Monica asked when they arrived.

“Yup,” Bridgette said as she pulled open the door.

“What are we doing here?”

“Hey, Mel,” Bridgette greeted when she saw Melinda behind the counter.

“Hey. What are you doing here?”

“Looking for a tour.”

“ You need a tour?” Melinda asked.

“Monica does,” she replied.

“Monica?” Melinda quickly looked over at Bridgette’s companion. “You’re Monica?”

“I suppose I am,” Monica replied.

“This is Melinda, my best friend,” Bridgette introduced. “She basically runs this place.”

“I see,” Monica said.

“And you want a tour?” Melinda asked Monica.

Monica turned to Bridgette.

“Are you doing the Jackson Square one?”

“No, Jill is,” Melinda replied.

“Perfect. Sign us up.” Bridgette pulled out her wallet.

“I’m not charging you.” Melinda laughed. “Just tip Jill.”

“Cool. Thanks.”

“It starts in about five minutes. You can meet her right outside.” Melinda pointed through the glass door.

“Do you want to go with us?” Bridgette asked her.

“No, I’m working. I’m in the office today.”

“Drinks later?”

“Yeah, maybe,” Melinda replied. “I’ll text you. I haven’t talked to Kyle about our plans tonight yet.”

“Just because you’re dating, doesn’t mean you have to spend every night together,” Bridgette pointed out.

“Well, we’re not dating; we’re a couple, Bridge. And I want us to spend every night together, so there’s that.”

“Should I wait outside?” Monica asked.

“You both should. I have work to do,” Melinda said. “It was nice meeting you, Monica.”

“You too,” Monica replied politely.

Melinda disappeared into the back office, so Bridgette opened the door for Monica, and they headed outside, where she saw Jill standing there, checking names off her list. She told her that they were joining her, and Jill stared at Monica for a long minute before she began the tour with her introduction. Having spent most of her life in New Orleans, Bridgette pulled out her phone as soon as they started walking. She checked her email and scrolled through social media for the rest of the tour, only looking up when she needed to check where she was walking. Monica walked with her arms over her chest and seemed to be upset about something. When the tour was over, Jill left them in the Square to do some shopping, and Bridgette walked up to her after the other tourists had said their thank-yous and some had given her a tip.

“Hey, thanks,” she said, handing Jill a twenty.

“Why are you tipping me?”

“Because Mel didn’t charge me and told me to tip you.”

“That feels weird. Take your money back.” Jill held the bill out to her.

“Thank you so much for this,” Monica said as she shook Jill’s hand. “I really appreciate it.”

Jill looked down, and her eyes widened. Bridgette followed her glance and noticed the hundred in Jill’s hand.

“I had pretty low expectations of my tour experience today, but you were a great guide, so thank you,” Monica added.

“Happy to help?” Jill said, looking confused. “Can you give Bridgette and me just, like, one minute?”

“Of course,” Monica replied. “I think I’m going to walk along here.” She pointed down the Square at the row of artists who had their stuff up on the fence and lined the walk.

“I’ll be right there,” Bridgette said.

Monica walked off, leaving them alone.

“That’s Monica?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you being such a bitch to her?”

“A bitch? I’ve hardly said two–”

“Yes, you’re being a bitch,” Jill interrupted her. “I saw you, Bridge. You hardly looked up the whole time. I get that you live here, so I don’t take offense at you not paying attention to me , but you could’ve at least talked to her or tried to show her around yourself. Why did you even bring her to NOLA Guides?”

“You’re literally professional tour guides.”

“And you could be, too. I get that she’s trying to buy your parents’ company, but you’re not doing yourself any favors by acting like this. What you told us at the bar about how you’ve been teasing her, and then your behavior today – it’s a little juvenile, Bridge.”

“It’s not just that she’s here to buy the company.”

“Okay. What is it?”

“She’s just all…” Bridgette didn’t know how to say it. “Like… You know.”

“Nice? Pretty? Seems smart, based on the couple of questions she asked me during the tour?”

“She’s annoying.”

“Really? I think that might be you. I’m only saying that maybe you should give her a chance. She seems fine to me. Maybe she can offer you a job here, if you want, after the sale. You’re only hurting yourself by not at least being nice to her.”

“It’s all a done deal, anyway. And I don’t even know if I’d want to work for Arnette or Good Day Greetings.”

“How would you know when you haven’t even talked to her yet?” Jill asked. “Now, I have to get back to the office. I’ll talk to you later. Stop being an ass.”

When Jill walked off without waiting for a reply, Bridgette took a deep breath before she caught up to Monica, who appeared to be buying a painting of some kind. Bridgette looked at it as Monica handed the artist some cash. It was a watercolor painting about eight by ten of the Square, with the St. Louis Cathedral as its subject.

“There are art galleries here that are probably more your scene,” Bridgette noted. “I can take you there, if you want.”

“Do you mean you can get your tour guide friends to take me there?” Monica returned. “And I like this one. I’m good. How would you know what my scene was anyway?”

“I only meant that there’s good stuff there, too.”

“Well, I bought this.” Monica looked at the artist and added, “Thank you.”

The man nodded at her, and Monica started walking. Bridgette caught up to her, and they walked in silence.

“Do you even know where you’re going?” Bridgette asked.

“No, I was going to keep walking until you told me how to get back to the office.”

“We can eat lunch.”

“You have a restaurant friend you want to pass me off to?”

“Look, I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t see the harm. Jill does this for a living.”

“It’s fine.” Monica sighed.

“Well, hello.”

Both of them turned to a woman who looked to be setting up a fortune teller table. She was a little early, though. They usually didn’t come out until night.

Bridgette looked around, finding a few other early arrivals, probably trying to cash in on the more family-oriented crowd, and replied, “No thanks.”

“I wasn’t asking for anything,” the fortune teller said.

“It’s true. She just said hello,” Monica noted.

“Do you want lunch?” Bridgette asked Monica.

“I wouldn’t suggest barbeque,” the fortune teller said.

“What?” Bridgette asked, surprised at her comment.

“Too spicy for this one,” the fortune teller replied as she pointed to Monica.

“How did you know that?” Monica asked her.

“Bridge, hey,” Kyle said as she headed their way.

“Ky, hey. What are you doing here?”

“I was taking a break from work. Went for a walk. I’m headed toward Melinda now. What are you doing here?”

“Just walking around,” Bridgette said.

She was about to introduce Kyle to Monica when Kyle turned to see the fortune teller.

“Oh, you,” Kyle said.

“Hello, Kyle,” the woman greeted. “How are things?”

“They’re great. Thanks. You?”

“Great also,” the woman replied.

“You know her?”

“This is the fortune teller Mel and I told you about.”

“The one who says you are having two kids?” Bridgette replied.

“Yeah, apparently.” Kyle laughed.

“None for you two, though,” the woman said, pointing between Monica and Bridgette.

Bridgette laughed and replied, “Well, yeah. Obviously.”

“Agreed,” Monica added. “Obvious.”

“No kids, but a dog.”

“Huh?” Bridgette said.

“Yes, a dog. One to start and another one later.”

“For them?” Kyle checked. “Together?” she asked the fortune teller as if she believed her.

“Yes,” the woman confirmed.

“And…”

“Everything else,” the woman added.

“Care to fill me in on what’s going on here?” Monica asked Bridgette.

“Can’t. I have no idea.”