Chapter Nineteen

Kate wove her way through the crowd filling the tables all around her. She smiled when she spotted Alexi working behind the bar with a towel tucked into the waistband of her black slacks. She swung foam-capped mugs onto a tray, then grabbed a plate of onion rings from the window that led to the kitchen. Kate didn’t even want to think about what perils awaited Alexi’s white silk blouse if Kate didn’t get her out of there soon. She slipped between groups of customers and rounded the bar.

After Alexi deposited a glass in front of a patron, Kate intercepted her before she could take another order.

“You hired bartenders. Just for tonight, let them handle it,” she said resting a hand lightly in the small of Alexi’s back. She pulled the towel free and dropped it under the bar.

“We had a rush. I came back here for only a minute.”

Kate caught one of the bartenders smiling. “It looks like your whole night has been a rush. How long have you really been back here?”

“Five minutes.”

“Don’t lie to me or I’ll make one of your employees tell me the truth.”

“Half an hour, tops.”

“Then I got here just in time.” Kate squeezed Alexi’s waist. “You have a good crowd for your grand reopening.”

“Yes.” Pride swelling in her heart, Alexi surveyed her business. In only six weeks, she had managed to rebuild In Left Field. She had opted not to decorate the interior exactly as it had been, instead giving it a fresh look for her brand-new start. She missed parts of her old décor, such as her father’s basketball and the humidor.

But she had made an effort to add special touches when she redecorated. The three pool tables on one side of the room were restored antiques with leather pockets and thick, intricately carved legs. The entire bar had been wired with speakers that were attached to the largest of flat-panel televisions and could be turned on for special events. Many of her employees had returned, though a few who had already gotten jobs in the meantime had not.

“Let’s go mingle with your guests.” Kate began to ease her out from behind the bar.

“Okay, babe.” Alexi touched Kate’s arm to stall her. “But first, what can I get you to drink?”

“A Coke would be great.”

“We’re celebrating. Have some champagne or a beer.”

“Just the soda, please.”

“I keep telling you, I don’t mind.”

“And I keep telling you, I don’t need to ingest any chemicals when I have you to make me feel good.” Despite the increased amount of time Kate was spending in a bar lately, she actually hadn’t had a drink in months. Alexi insisted that it didn’t bother her for Kate to drink in front of her. But Kate continued to refuse, saying she’d never had more than the occasional beer with Paula and didn’t miss it anyway.

“You’re sweet. Are you sure?”

“Yes. You can stop asking me. Now, come on, I think I see some familiar faces over there.”

Kate led Alexi through the crowd, stopping and waiting patiently when one well-wisher after another delayed Alexi. Finally, they reached a small group of people Alexi recognized as those closest to Kate. There was Kate’s best friend, Paula, whom Alexi had come to know well since Kate had enlisted her as a manual laborer during the bar’s restoration. An attractive woman stood next to Paula. Her expression was soft and her eyes sparkled when she looked at Paula. And her fingertips brushed Paula’s sleeve when she spoke to her.

Kate’s partner, Jason, wrapped an arm around her shoulders in greeting as she stepped into their circle. Alexi hung back for a moment, watching as Kate’s friends greeted her. Alexi sensed Jason hadn’t always been completely okay with Kate’s decision to get involved with her. But in recent weeks he seemed to have come around. Perhaps the change had come as the time had passed since Alexi’s case was closed.

Alexi hadn’t been in touch with either Ron or Danielle, but she’d heard that Ron was standing by Danielle. He’d hired an attorney, but the notoriously slow justice system hadn’t made any progress in prosecuting Danielle yet. Alexi expected she would hear from the assistant district attorney when the court date neared, but as far as she was concerned she had already received all the resolution possible. Oddly enough, she couldn’t summon a need for vengeance when she thought about Danielle. All she felt was sadness at the loss of two friends she’d once held dear.

“Hey, come here.” Kate slipped her hand inside Alexi’s elbow and drew her close.

“Alexi, you did good here,” Jason said, nodding at the room around them.

“Thank you. And thanks for coming,” Alexi said. “Hello, Paula.”

“Alexi, the place looks great. Allow me to introduce Dr. Celeste Fields.”

“It’s lovely to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.” Alexi grasped Celeste’s hand.

Celeste glanced nervously at Paula.

“Don’t worry. She speaks highly of you,” Alexi assured her.

“Good.” Celeste smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, too. I was here once, before the fire, and enjoyed myself. You’ve definitely done the place justice in the remodel as well.”

“Thank you.”

Paula raised her bottle. “A toast. To Alexi. All your hard work is paying off.”

Glasses and bottles clinked together.

Kate laced her fingers into Alexi’s, her eyes inviting a private moment among the festivities. Alexi smiled at the woman who had come to mean so much in just the span of two months. Kate had coaxed Alexi’s heart open so patiently, erasing Alexi’s usual panic. Alexi trusted Kate with her future, with her happiness, and with her love.

“What should we toast to?” Kate asked as she lifted her glass in one hand and took Alexi’s hand with the other.

“To new beginnings,” Alexi answered without hesitation.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14