Page 77 of Changing Tides
Joey shrugged their shoulders and stood a little straighter, squeezing her hand in return. Their smile widened. “No, of course I’m happy. Is the appointment right now?”
She checked her watch. They were right on time. “Yes, go on in and ask for Mac. I’ll wait in there.” She indicated a coffee shop on the opposite corner. “I’ll catch up on my social posts.”
Joey kissed her cheek and took the steps to the shop in long strides. She watched them go and then went to get a coffee, wondering what had happened to change Joey’s mind about the haircut. She got completely engrossed in editing together some recent clips that it felt like only minutes before a quiet cough made her look up.
Joey had their hands stuffed into their jeans pockets, and their eyebrows pulled together. Marianne got up for a closer look. Mac had shaped and softened their bangs and the rest looked as silky soft as Marianne knew it was. It hung perfectly straight to their square jawline. It was still unmistakably Joey’s hairstyle but a version more suited to the streets of Dublin than the wild Atlantic Ocean. Marianne smiled and ran her fingers through it. “You look mighty fine.”
Joey rolled their eyes. “It’s not that different.”
“No. But you weren’t looking for a new style. It’s just a little smarter.” She pulled them into a seat. “Did you enjoy the experience?”
Joey pulled the bowl of sugar sachets across the table and started to rearrange them.
What’s going on?“Joey.” She rubbed their knuckles. “Talk to me, please.”
Joey kept their eyes on the sugar bowl. “The barbershop was fine. Everyone introduces themselves with their pronouns, and there were no assumptions made. It was refreshing.”
“But?”
They looked up. “Did you arrange it because you’re embarrassed to introduce me to your friends tonight?” They blinked. “Because I look like I do?”
“What? No, of course not, Joey. I wanted you to have a positive experience of getting your hair cut. So you know it doesn’t always have to be so stressful.”
“Of course. I’m sorry. Let’s go and get ready for the evening.” Joey finally gave a smile of sorts and stood. Marianne followed, a knot twisting in her stomach. How had her gesture been so misunderstood? Had there been a small part of her that had planned it this way so Joey would look more groomed to meet her friends? The shirt Joey would be wearing tonight was a gift, too. Was she trying to change them to fit her city life?
She was still mulling it over as Joey drove them to the party. “Are you okay? Youdowant to go, don’t you?”
Joey squeezed her fingers. “Of course. It’s your welcome home party. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” They stopped for a red light and turned, lifting her hand to their lips. “And I’m sorry for what I said earlier. You did a nice thing, and I made it weird.”
Marianne pulled her hand free of Joey’s kisses and stroked their jaw. Her heart clenched at how gorgeous they looked with their new shirt buttoned up and their shiny hair still salon fresh.
“You never make anything weird. I should’ve given you some notice, I’m sorry.” She kissed Joey. Everything felt better when they kissed. She pulled away as the light turned to green and she leaned back in her seat.
She was nervous about this evening. Not just for Joey, but many of these people she hadn’t seen since she’d left Dublin four years ago, when she’d been at the top of her game, respected and admired as one of the top chefs in the country. What had happened this year had left her feeling bruised and vulnerable. She didn’t doubt her skills in the kitchen, she was still one of the best, but would people believe in her like Joey did?
THIRTY
Joey sat at the bar,trying to feign a casual air as they picked at the label on their untouched beer bottle. They’d done their best to shake off the idea Mari had tried to remodel them before introducing them to her friends. But then when they’d arrived, all she’d done was to drag them around the room, telling her acquaintances just how good Joey’s lobsters were. Joey had thought this was a social event where Mari would introduce them as her…partner?
They hadn’t put a name on what they had together, but Joey had believed it was more than as a supplier. They’d nodded and tried to engage, but when people asked about delivery days and price lists, Joey’d backed away, wondering how they could have misread what this evening was about.
“Hey.” Marianne’s whisper tickling their neck accompanied a nudge. Her breath was heavy with wine fumes, but Joey was warmed by her proximity.
“Are you okay? I thought you wanted to meet new customers.”
Joey turned. Mari’s eyes were glinting in the way they did when she’d had a few glasses of wine.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting that tonight. I’ve spoken with a couple of your friends.”
“They need specifics. Not just you muttering about possibly being able to deliver sometime in the future. These people have massive reputations to maintain. If you’re not clear, they won’t even consider buying from you regularly.”
Joey faced her fully and wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her closer. “I came here tonight to be withyou. I don’t mix business with pleasure.”
The force with which Marianne pulled back made them wince. “I should’ve talked you through what to say.”
Joey stood, their throat almost too tight to form words. “Can we talk about this outside, please? I don’t want to risk your precious reputation.”
Marianne blinked but allowed them to lead her out into the corridor.
