Page 38 of February

“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 tome, but you could’ve at least talked toheror 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.

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