Page 45 of The Fixer

Suddenly, Saturday in Doro was looking much more intriguing … and appealing.

Oh. Shit.

Chapter 12

Girl Bonding

Joy eyed Hailey asthey worked side by side, emptying one display cabinet after another. “What would you do with this building if you owned it?” Yes, Charlie had clued her in, but verification was key, just like in the M&A world.

Hailey’s blue eyes brightened with dreams. “I would set up a bookstore here in front, add some tables so kiddos had a place to read and hang out, and I’d have a coffee station over there for the adults.” She pointed to a window along one wall. “Mountain Coffee, of course.”

“Of course,” Joy deadpanned.

“Noah and I would move into the back. Right now we share his tiny studio apartment on the top floor of the Miners with our dog, Chance, but it’s cramped and we’re always bumping into each other—not that I mind bumping into Noah. OrbumpingNoah.” She giggled, and Joy found herself envying this woman who displayed no outward signs of riches yet seemed infinitely wealthy.

Hailey continued. “I’d fence the backyard so our pooch could run and play fetch.” She let out a wistful sigh. “Someday.Maybe.”

“Why not now? I mean, maybe not this particular building, but there have to be others for sale that would work.”

“Not on Bowen Street, and if you’re not on Bowen Street, then there’s no point. The bigger obstacle, though, is a little thing called money. Plus, the book sales in my little corner of the coffee shop are killing it, but I have to wonder if it’s the coffee drawing in customers who then buy books on impulse. Could I reproduce that success in a standalone storefront? Folks would have to be on the hunt for books specifically and not just stumble across them because they need a caffeine fix.”

Joy tapped her chin. “The coffee bar closes at two, right?” Hailey nodded. “Have you thought about keeping the bookstore portion open until five or six? You could have an eye-catching sign in the window that lets folks know the bookstore is open for business. Then you could better gauge if the books are a draw all on their own.” Joy handed her a yellowed pair of opera gloves.

Hailey straightened. “That’s brilliant!” She turned to Joy, her face bright with possibility, and elbowed her. “That’s why you get paid the big bucks, isn’t it?”

Joy barked a self-conscious laugh. “I don’t know about that.”

“There’s no shame in admitting it.” Wasn’t there, though? Joy’s mother had always thought so. “I’m going to give your idea a try and see what happens. What could it hurt?” She held the gloves up to the light. “These don’t even match.”

“Gee, what a surprise.” Inside, Joy couldn’t care less about the gloves. Instead, she basked in a little glow from offering Hailey something of value. On its most basic level, that was her job in M&A—bringing buyers and sellers together for a satisfying ending. But this simple solution for a friend buoyed her in a way wholly different than the kick she got from closing a big acquisition. It occurred to her that thatkickhad been missing for a long time now.

Hailey turned over a bird-shaped incense burner in her hand. “Does anything in here hold any sentimental value? Anything you want to hang on to?”

“Absolutely not. This place is one giant reminder of too many unpleasant times with my mother.”

Something flared in Hailey’s eyes, and Joy immediately longed to reel back her impulsive words. She’d overshared. Never one to reveal detailsabout her screwed-up childhood—let alone with a woman she’d just met who wasn’t related to her in any way—Joy was appalled she’d vomited out the bitter remark, but being around Hailey today had made her relax, had allowed her to let down her guard.

Hailey’s gaze shifted somewhere distant, and Joy suddenly understood what that flare in her eyes had been: recognition. They were simpatico, and that warmed Joy. The sensation grounded her somehow.

Hailey’s next words confirmed they were sailing in the same boat. “I feel for the kids that end up with parents who should never be responsible for raising another human being. What choice do those children have?” She folded the gloves and slipped them into one of the donation bags. “Was your dad in the picture?”

“My dad died when I was young, and what little I recall of him is wrapped up in my head like a pretty present,” Joy confided. “Whether that image is connected to reality is anyone’s guess. Maybe he was an asshole, but I didn’t see that side of him.” Joy was wading into quicksand. Conversations filled with feels were something she avoided at all costs, yet this kinship she felt with Hailey—practically a stranger—overrode her usual reluctance to delve deeper. As soon as Joy left for Chicago, the fleeting friendship would be forgotten anyway. And that made Joy a little sad. “You?”

“My dad. My mom was no prize, but at least she tried in between feeding her addictions. The moral compass was there, but it was too weak to point true north, you know? She died when I was young, so I understand that loss too.” Hailey’s brows shot to her hairline. “We should form a support group, one where we don’t allow one another to sink into self-pity. Instead, we lift each other up.”

“It might take some lifting of wineglasses for me.”

“Even better! I know this cute little bar …” Hailey winked.

This pulled a chuckle from Joy. “Itisa cute bar, and everyone in town obviously agrees because that place is always hopping. Could be its hunky owner is the draw, but I’ve heard he’s crazy about some girl with perfect honey-blond hair. Too bad for the rest of us.” Joy threw a hand in the air in mock dejection, and Hailey let out a happy laugh. Estelle would be so proud. Joy was actually engaging in fun girl talk. Weird, but wonderful.

“Thathunky ownerisn’t the only draw. He has a few hot brothers who get their own share of attention. Especially the blond one,” Hailey chuckled.

“Yeah, I noticed that. I thought some of the patrons were going to get in a catfight over him.”

“Crazy, huh? He brings a lot of it on himself by being a littletoofriendly. He’s off the charts on the flirt-o-meter sometimes, and they get it in their heads he’s pouring that sugar on them alone. Meanwhile, he’s clueless and a little bewildered by their reactions.”

“Does he ever … you know, follow through?” Joy paused on an intake of air.

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