Page 45 of February

“This is my spot.”

“Your spot?”

“Yeah, I come here when I need to think. Well, sometimes. It gets crowded in a few weeks, so I’ll go to my other spot then, which is an empty square of grass on the way to The National WWII Museum that tourists don’t really know is there.”

“So, the grass is the common denominator?”

“I prefer the water,” Bridgette said.

“It’s nice,” Monica replied.

“Yeah.” Bridgette brought her knees to her chest and held on to them.

“Are you really getting drinks with your friends tonight?”

“No,” she admitted. “Melinda and Kyle are going out, and Jill is closing up NOLA Guides.”

“So, you just didn’t want to go to dinner?”

“Not really,” she said. “You two go back, right? You haven’t seen her in a while?”

“About four years.”

“Better for you to catch up if I’m not there, then.”

“Is everything okay?”

“What’s everything?” Bridgette asked as she turned her face to take in Monica’s.

Monica was beautiful. She was still wearing the same jeans and cardigan as before, but now, she held her clutch, which made Bridgette smile because shehadmentioned it was for the nighttime.

“I thought we’d turned a corner earlier today, and then, there was a setback. You got quiet.”

“Just thinking,” Bridgette shared. “My entire life, I’ve planned to take over a business, and now, that’s about to go away.”

“But you know I’m not here to steal it away fromyou, right?”

“I know.” She sighed. “Logically, I understand this isn’t your fault. It’s just hard.”

“I’m not trying to make it that way for you. I actually think your parents are great people, and I’d like to see you have something after the sale to help you wherever you go next.”

“Here,” Bridgette said and pointed out to the river. “I love this city.”

“I didn’t mean physically.”

“Your company is in New York.”

“Yes, it is.”

“So, I’d have to move there, right?”

“You’re assuming I’d offer you a job,” Monica teased with a smile before she bumped Bridgette’s shoulder with her own.

Bridgette laughed and said, “I wouldn’t move; that’s what I’m saying.”

“It’s nice here.”

“Yeah? Even with the horse poop?”

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