Page 44 of Take This Heart (Windy Harbor #1)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

LET YOUR HAIR DOWN

GOLDIE

After an emotionally fraught week, it’s nice to have a fairly low-key one.

Tonight, I'm on my way to The Cozy Palette. Erin was able to get in touch with Percy and they were okay with us using the building tonight. I’m lugging a few canvases to share since I don’t know what is available at the shop anymore.

When I walk inside, Juju and Erin are already there.

I follow the sound of laughter and find them by the big workstation in the back.

Erin is wearing a helmet and holding up a blowtorch.

“Oh my God, what are we doing tonight? I thought we were doing wine and acrylic pours on a canvas. This looks hardcore!” I set the canvases on the island and tug off my zipped hoodie

“Oh, don't act like you don't know hardcore,” Erin says, grinning. “And oops, I forgot that’s what I wanted to do.” She makes a face. “I blame ADHD and a dream I had.”

“I’m a little intimidated in the art department with you two,” Juju says, “but I'm willing to try...whatever we’re doing.”

“You guys can paint on a canvas if you want. Or you can make something out of this.” Erin lifts a big chunk of metal and points at the various metals laid out on the table.

“Ooo,” I say, rummaging through the bucket with everything from buttons to knobs.

“I’m gonna try to turn this into a warrior with armor and everything,” Erin says. “My very own Joan of Arc. I want it in my bedroom. It’d be fun to have a jump-scare every time I get up in the middle of the night, and then be like, ‘Oh, hey, Joanie. Thanks for watching out for me.’”

Juju and I stare at her for a beat.

“How do you think of these things?” I say.

“I’m just blessed that way.” She lifts a shoulder.

“Your mind is a fascinating place,” I tell her.

“It is.” Juju giggles. “Maybe you’re the most well-rounded of all of us. A little scary, a little hilarious, and everything in between.”

Erin slaps her backside. “Why, thank you. I prefer being told I’m shaped like a peach, but well-rounded works too.”

Juju throws a sour gummy worm at her. “Okay, Ms. Peach. So, where is Percy?”

“Percy is in Montana,” Erin says, “but it sounds like they might be coming back soon.” She lifts an eyebrow over her shoulder and smirks at us.

“There’s the smirk that was missing when we brought Percy up the last time. So you haven’t lost your crush...”

“I tried.” Erin sighs. “But then we talked on the phone and it was nice. So…no, never losing that crush, I’m afraid.”

“Maybe because there’s something there,” Juju says.

“Ahh, I think that boat has sailed.” Erin puts her hand on her hip as she tries to secure metal around a dress form. “I mean, there have been plenty of chances, and it’s been a no-go.”

“Well, I’m not giving up hope. And it was nice of them to let us use the space,” I say. “I always loved coming in here as a kid. Percy’s dad had the best art supplies. I got my favorite brush here and never looked back.”

The Cozy Palette is bursting with color. Shelves of paint and brushes and canvases, along with scrapbooking and jewelry supplies cover every nook and cranny. Various artwork is displayed in every open space, and when I lean in to see who the artist is, I’m surprised more than once.

“Did you know Miss Idella and Emmy are quite the artists?” I point out their paintings.

“Nice.” Juju nods. “I should see if they’d want to put anything in the cafe.” She lifts her shoulder and scrunches up her face. “I’d rather have a G. Waters original, but…” She eyes me hopefully.

“I’d be happy to put something in the cafe. Whatever you want.”

She shakes her shoulders in a little dance. “I bet we could sell a lot during the busier seasons. Oh!” She holds up her hand. “I’ve been shirking my wine duties! I’ll get right on that.” She pours a hefty glass of wine for each of us.

“To a girls’ night and starting the first of many happy traditions,” Erin says.

We clink our glasses and I set a large piece of plastic over the island.

“If you want to do an acrylic pour, I brought everything we’ll need,” I tell Juju.

“Yes, please,” she says.

I hand her some disposable gloves and put on my own, then fill glasses with all different colors of paint, letting Juju pick the colors she wants.

I pull out two of the smaller canvases and place smaller cups under them so they’re not flat on the plastic.

And then I show her how to layer her paint in one cup.

She loves it when we flip the cup onto the canvas and then just leave it there while we combine dish soap and water.

“This is so satisfying,” she says, when we lift the cup and let the paint fill the canvas.

I show her how to empty the cup on the edges and then let the paint drip off the edges. Juju loves flowers, so I show her the drip stick method and she is hooked.

Erin lifts her helmet off. “What is going on over there? Juju, you sound like you’re in the throes of ecstasy.”

“Yeah, right. I wish,” Juju sighs. “But, look at this. It’s amazing! I’m obsessed. This is so pretty!” The cells start to spread and look like flowers.

She’s thrilled by all of it.

“We can add a little white in the center if you want to give each flower a pop,” I tell her.

“Yes to the pop,” she says.

Once we’ve done that, we sip our wine and admire the magic that takes place as the white expands.

“Have you seen Ava again?” Erin asks.

“No. I almost invited her tonight, but I lost my nerve.”

“You should’ve. We could’ve made sure it didn’t get hostile.” Erin holds up her arm and pats her muscle.

“I don’t think she’ll get hostile again.

She seemed devastated after her confrontation with Bruce.

But baby steps. I did text her to see how she was doing this week and she said she was okay…

but she didn’t have much to say back, so I didn’t press it.

I don’t think we’re going to be close overnight or anything, but…

” I take my gloves off and set them on the plastic. “I guess I don’t know what to expect.”

“She’s probably so embarrassed by what she did and just lying low for a bit,” Juju says. “It’s a lot. I’m shocked you’re handling it so well, finding out that Ava Piper is your sister.”

“I’m trying to handle it well. I hate that Bruce is involved.

Ava can’t help it that he’s her dad and Milo can’t help it that he’s related to him either, but I really can’t stand the man.

It’s even harder to remain objective about him, hearing the way he treated my mom when she got pregnant.

Grandma Donna said he stopped speaking to my mom as soon as he found out and then turned people against her at school.

” I shake my head. “Anyway…I have a sister and I’m not sure she wants to have anything to do with me. ”

“She said she wanted to get to know you,” Erin says. “And I think she meant it. At least I’m hoping she does…so I don’t have to show her the muscle.”

We laugh and I’m glad that the mood lightens again.

Erin maneuvers the metal a little but doesn’t get the results she wants. “I should’ve stuck to that.” She points at our paintings.

“It’s not too late.” I hold up another canvas.

Erin moves to the paint and Juju sits propped on a stool, her chin leaning on her fist.

“How are things with Milo?” Juju asks.

“I feel like I’m getting asked all the hard-hitting questions tonight.” I take another long swig of wine.

“Because you have the exciting life.” Juju sighs.

She pours more wine into our glasses and opens another bottle.

“We have to deal with needy customers all day long…” she continues.

“You love the customers!” I elbow her. “Even the needy ones…like me.”

She grins. “I know. I do.” And then pouts. “But it’d be a lot more fun with a lover waiting to pounce on me the minute I got home.”

We all laugh.

“True that.” Erin holds up her glass and we all clink.

“It is pretty great,” I admit.

“So is that nonstop smile you’re wearing these days. After life-shaking news like a long-lost sister who bashed you in an art review, held Save the Otter shit over your head, and tried to set your property on fire…I’ve gotta say, you’re looking mighty happy,” Erin says, clinking our glasses again.

We crack up and empty our glasses.

“One more bottle?” Erin asks.

“Why not? It’s girls’ night,” I say.

“We can walk home. Is someone picking you up?” Juju asks.

“Milo’s waiting for me in his apartment.”

“Ah! See?” Erin yells. “Your hottie is sa-tis-fy-ING!”

For some reason, that makes us laugh harder.

“So are you basically living above my cafe?” Juju asks.

“I spend some nights there, but Milo has been staying at the house too. He pretends like he’s leaving and then comes in after everyone’s gone to bed.

” I snort. “But this morning, when he pretended to ‘arrive’, my dad said, ‘Milo, you were snoring so loud last night, I could hear you all the way from my room!’ and Milo’s mouth dropped and his face got red, and my dad pointed at him and said, ‘Caught ya!’ And then he told him he hadn’t really heard him snoring but he had seen him sneaking in one night and to just make himself at home already. ”

We all laugh so hard we’re wheezing.

“Stop making me laugh. I’ve gotta go.” Juju runs, laughing all the way to the bathroom.

We start cleaning up. When Erin starts taking her stuff to the door so it’s all ready to go, I text Milo.

Iss been such a fin nighy. Missss yuu

Yoo

YOI

Dammut

Milo

You on the happy juice, Golo?

So haopy

Cant waitto see yuu

Milo

I can’t wait to see you either

“We can leave our things here to dry. Percy said we can use the place as much as we want,” Erin says.

So we leave our canvases on the plastic and gather the rest of our things.

We hug each other and get tangled in Juju’s wide-legged jeans.

I trip and go flying and Erin catches me before I face-plant into the large turning rack of stickers.

We’re laughing so hard I can’t breathe when we step outside, and I hear a low chuckle that sends a melty feeling in my gut.

I look up and see Milo leaning against a streetlight, his feet crossed. He looks like a tall, beautiful giant that I want to climb, and I must say it out loud because he grins and stands straighter. His fingers beckon me closer.

“Climb aboard,” he says. “I’m rooting for you. It’s time to branch out.”

Erin puts her hand on her head. “I didn’t think I was drunk, but I must be because you are punning all over the place.”

“Sorry,” Milo says under his breath. “It felt like the only time I could get away with it.”

“No,” Erin says, shaking her head. “Never a good time. But I’ll forgive you because you’re so pretty.”

“I can tell it’s been a good night for all of you,” Milo says, laughing.

“We had so much fun and I’m so happy to see you,” I sing. “What are you doing here?”

He laughs again. “I thought you might be a while yet, but I wanted to be here to walk you home if you needed an arm to hang on to or…anything.”

“He’s so thoughtful too,” Juju slurs. She flings her arms out.

“Universe, I manifest a tall, beautiful giant…who is not Milo…to come walk with and provide an arm for me. No meanies with dark hair and blue eyes who think they are God’s gift to women just because they can cook and because they have been written up in every cooking magazine.

Only nice giants…preferably a giant who knows how to find my clit because I’m really tired of no man knowing where it is. Soon, please and thank you.”

A deep laugh erupts out of Milo. Erin and I have already lost it and I have to hold onto Milo. Turns out I really needed his arm.

“I’ve never heard Juju say clit in my life.” I whisper the c-word and that sends Juju and Erin into another cackle.

“I think I need to walk all of you home. Who’s closest?” Milo asks.

“Juju,” we all say at the same time.

“Lead the way,” he says.