Page 58 of Lost
“Are you back, boss?” Orla asks, hustling into the bar as she puts her stuff in the back room. I have a place set up for employees to be able to change if they’re coming from school or another job, and it’s helped them more than once when they’d be late otherwise.
“No,” I grunt, looking around the back of the bar to make sure I’ve done everything she and Mickey will need for tonight.
While I have other people working for me, they’re the two that have been with me the longest. I’ve owned the bar for about six years, and I trust them to watch over things for me. I also plan to kick extra money their way since I’m not here.
“I need to take care of some things, but the kegs are refilled, I changed things out in the fridge and cleaned it so you’ll be good for tonight,” I explain.
Orla leans against the wall as she gazes at me. Her hair is pulled back in a top knot, and I have a feeling she sees more than she lets on.
“You know Mickey would help me do all that, so what’s really going on?” she asks. “Is it Aisling or Hollis? Are they okay?”
While Aisling moved on from the bar, Orla’s never forgotten her. She told me she always knew Aisling was meant for bigger things, and that sometimes people are only in your life for a small amount of time.
She’s smart, I’ll give her that.
“Hollis is pissed at me,” I sigh. “She came in with a bat earlier. We found her sister.”
Orla has heard a lot while working here, and one of those things is Hollis’ sister that everyone seems to have forgotten about except for a select few. Her jaw drops as she blinks at me, shaking her head.
“Way to bury the lead, boss. Holy shit. This isn’t common knowledge yet, is it?” she asks.
“Very few people know,” I admit. “I feel bad leaving you alone at the bar. Lars is making sure that the coffee shop is handled and then he’s taking off as well.”
“I know you’re close, but why is her sister being found such a big deal?” she asks.
“She’s Lars and my scent match, and we’ve both been a bit dense about it,” I say. “Think you can hold down the fort for me? I’ll add to your pay for the time I’m gone.”
Orla waves my words away because she knows that I'll take care of her.
“I know you will. Damn, she’s your scent match. Aren’t they identical twins?”
“If you saw them together, you wouldn’t know they were twins outside of their having the same eyes,” I say. “Even then, you’d have to really know one of them to see the similarities. They’re both very different in their personalities.”
“So it’s not like fucking your best friend?” Orla asks cheekily.
Ugh, this is essentially what Hollis was insinuating when she yelled at my brother. I can see why that would be a concern, but when I look at Nova, I only see her.
“That’s adorable, but mind your business, Orla,” I grunt. “Make sure you walk home with Mickey. Tell him to skip the booty call.”
“Now who’s sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong?” she teases as I walk toward the back door to leave.
Rolling my eyes, I ignore her as I continue my walk to the car. I’ll pick up Lars, swing by our house, and then drive to Tyde’s place to see Nova. Maybe we can manage a conversation where she doesn’t cry.
Hopefully.
NOVA
I’m pacing the floor as I talk on the phone with Pack Kelly when the doorbell rings. Tyde glances at me as I give him a tight smile before I disappear into the day room to continue my call.
Some might call it running away, while I call it gathering distance. I’ve been returning texts and calls for hours, and also setting up new appointments with packs who want to discuss my services.
Word of mouth is huge, and it seems that my clients are very pleased with me.
“I know Quinn has an appointment soon, but I’m worried it’s so far out of the way for you,” Linus says.
I can practically hear him chewing on his lip, and shake my head.
“I’m not that far out of town,” I say. “I’ll be going home soon anyway, so it won’t be an issue for long.”
