Only in Time (A Mystique Antiques Novella) (4 page)

The soft swoosh of passing cars filled Ally’s ears as she hurried down the sidewalk. Time wasn’t an issue, nor was it the reason for all the rushing. She’d never been late for anything a day in her life.

Nerves, on the other hand, became the dirty little culprit responsible for her haste. Each step made her heart take an extra beat. Meeting with an old friend
had a tendency to kick up the adrenalin.

At least she’d arrive early. That way, she and Cassie could get a good seat and catch up before the show started.

Exactly when had she thought moving back here would be such a great idea? Too much had changed during her absence. Or maybe she was the one that changed.

Losing everything that’s important to you had a way of taking your life down a different path. Usually one you’d never choose for yourself. Lord knows she wouldn’t have chosen to lose her father. She wouldn’t have chosen to leave Savannah, or Cassie, or…

She couldn’t think about
him
right now. That O’Hara chick had it right. About tomorrow…another day…don’t stress about the stuff you can’t fix today. Yeah. She would deal with memories of him, later. Besides, her mom didn’t mention anything about him living here. Why was she so eager to see him anyway? It’s not like they had a good thing going, when she left.

While she waited for the crosswalk sign to change, the rich scent of roasted coffee beans filtered out of the coffee shop on the corner. Her eyes drifted past her shoulder to the green and white Starbucks logo on the window. Thoughts of a tall Cinnamon Dolce Latte made her mouth water.

She really shouldn’t. Go inside, that is. She’d be late if she did. Starbucks always had a long line. No sense in ruining her always-on-time record just to splurge on a cup of caffeine. Something that wouldn’t mix well with her frayed nerves anyway.

Wiping her clammy hands on her jeans, she smoothed a wisp of hair from her eyes, tucking it behind her ear as best she could. How had she worked herself up into such a tizzy? It was Cassie, for Christ’s sakes. How much could she have changed after Ally left?

Squeaking breaks drew her attention back to the road. Cars slowed down for the yellow glow in the streetlight. She tapped her shoe against the edge of the curb, wishing she could have parked closer. At least the walk made up for skipping her daily walk on the treadmill.

The crossing sign flashed not a moment too soon. Ally wasted no time crossing in front of the waiting cars. As she stepped onto the curb, she noticed a slender figure pacing back and forth in the distance. Her chest tightened. Forcing her legs to take each step a little faster, she hoped this meet-up wouldn’t be as awkward as the one she just left.

She stared at the woman’s back, watching coppery strands dance against bare shoulders. Fingers hooked inside the belt loop of a snug fitting pair of Levi’s. Had Cassie not came to New York last summer, Ally may not have recognized her. But there she stood in all her petite glory.

Ally’s cheeks burned with anticipation. Should she hug her? Maybe she should clear her throat and wait to see Cassie’s response. Another uncomfortable reconnection would be the worst way to end this day. Might as well make her presence known and get the weirdness over with. She held off on the hug and cleared her throat, waiting as Cassie turned to face her.

Rich brown eyes fell on Ally’s face. A twinge of hope filled her as Cassie’s eyes twinkled for a moment. But thin brows folded over them just as quickly, choking Ally’s breath from her lungs.

“What happened to you?”

Ally gazed down at her clothes, half expecting to see part of her dinner on them. There didn’t appear to be any stains on her shirt or jeans, unless she couldn’t see it from her angle.

Meeting Cassie’s eyes once more, she dragged out the word, “Nothing.” The answer didn’t appease her friend. “Why do you ask?”

Cassie fisted her hands on her hips. “You’re half an hour late.”

The hell she was. Bending her wrist, Ally’s eyes fell to the watch. “No I’m not. We have ten more minutes before the show starts.”

“I was worried something had gone wrong at the restaurant, but didn’t want to interrupt in case it was the opposite.” Cassie waved her hand as though dismissing her own thoughts. “Anywho, you better pick up a new battery for that watch.”

Ally shook her head, checking the face of the watch again.

“Really.” Cassie said with a grin. “Check your phone.”

Reaching to her back pocket, Ally pulled out her smartphone. She pressed the center key until the screen lit up. At the top, digitized numbers stared back at her.

8:30.

How was that possible?

“Great,” she huffed, throwing her hand in the air. “The first really nice gift my mom gets me is messed up.” She checked the watch once more before her hand fell to her side. “I am incredibly sorry. Will they still seat us if we’re late?”

“Nah,” Cassie said. With a shrug, she leaned in, pointing to the tickets. “It specifically says so on the bottom, along with a little spill about how it distracts the comedians.”

This evening continued its downward spiral. First she accuses her mother of drinking again, now she wasted the tickets her oldest friend scored from the radio station. Could she manage to disappoint anyone else tonight?

“My first week back and I’m letting people down.”

“Oh please,” Cassie waved Ally’s comment away. “You’ll have to do a lot more than that to let me down. I’m just glad your dinner went good… It did go well, didn’t it?”

Shrugging her shoulders, Ally released a sigh. “That conversation requires a drink.”

“Say no more.” Cassie pulled at the string on Ally’s sleeve. “There’s a nice little blues joint just down the street.” She jabbed her thumb over her shoulder. “I had a really crappy day at work. Let’s go blow off some steam. We can stay until midnight and bring in your birthday the right way.”

Ally smiled. Cassie hadn’t changed. Her friend still had a way of helping her forget about the stress of dealing with her mother, just like she did all those years ago. The knot in her stomach dissipated.

“Liquor and music. What a great way to end this, how did you say it, crappy day?”

Cassie did her version of a happy dance before locking arms with Ally. “You’re gonna love this place. It’s laid back, the cocktails are perfect, and the men are good looking. You are still single, right?”

Single…definitely. Looking…no way in hell. Her life was complicated enough without adding a relationship to it. Nope. She had no time to think about a relationship. And no time to think about ones that never got off the ground.

Damn her mother. Why did she have to mention Jonah? Hadn’t the t-shirt her roommate sent been punishment enough?

* * *

The gritty sound of a guitar captured Ally’s attention the moment she stepped inside
Midnight Blues
nightclub. Hues of green, red, and blue lit up the right side of the bar. Trailing her eyes over the stage, she didn’t recognize the band playing. But the sultry riffs coming from the electric guitar made her want to join the crowd already dancing.

Instead, she followed Cassie to the bar, pulling out a stool as she slid across the plush cushion. Cassie waved at the bartender, a stocky man with tribal tattoos encircling well-defined biceps. He gave her a crooked smile, nodding his head in their direction.

Ally noticed the smile creeping across Cassie’s lips. “You friends with the bartender?”

Cassie’s eyes widened a little. “Let’s just say, I come here often. And not just for the music. Or the liquor.” Her eyes flitted back to the bartender, who was now heading in their direction.

“My evening just got better,” he smiled, letting his eyes roam from Cassie’s face, down toward her breasts. They lingered a moment as he grabbed a glass from the rack above. “The usual, darlin’?”

“You know it, Mike,” she cooed.

Mike’s eyes landed on Ally. “And what are you drinking, sugar?”

Sugar? Darlin’? Yes, she was definitely back in the South. Ally fought back a smile and met Cassie’s gaze. “I’ll have the same thing she’s drinking.”

“Manhattans it is.” He gave Cassie a wink before walking toward the three-tier shelf of assorted liquor bottles.

Ally eyed Cassie, waiting for her friend to look at her again, but Cassie’s attention remained on Mike. She had that glazed over look that most people got after staring at something for way too long.

Shaking her head, Ally focused on the stage. The dance floor, still packed with people, blocked most of her view of the band. But she couldn’t escape the music nor could her body refuse the way the guitar called to her. Rocking her shoulders side to side, she didn’t give Mike a second glance when he set her drink on the bar.

She grabbed the martini glass, placing it to her lips as the cool liquid spilled into her mouth. Warmth caressed her tongue and throat. The sweet vermouth was a change from the noir she normally drank, but she welcomed the change.

Cassie and Mike continued flirting as Ally slid off the barstool. She didn’t step away but the music continued calling to her soul. The urge to dance grew stronger. She took another sip of the cocktail, swaying her hips to the beat of the drums. While she didn’t recognize the song, or the band for that matter, the music grabbed a hold of her, refusing to let go until her body played along.

“Want to go dance?” Cassie’s voice sounded so muffled, Ally wasn’t sure if she’d asked her the question until she peered around to meet Ally’s eyes. “Well?”

“Sorry,” Ally laughed. “I thought you were talking to
Mike
.”

Cassie tapped Ally’s shoulder as she rolled her eyes. “Mike won’t show off his moves on the dance floor.”

“Really? Then where?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Cassie giggled into her glass as she took a drink. Ally mimicked her movements, taking a bigger gulp of the cocktail. The warmth of the earlier sip turned to a burn. It didn’t just affect her mouth this time. Her entire body radiated with heat. The tension once pinching the muscles in her neck faded.

When the band switched songs, Cassie stepped in front of her, pulling on her arm. “Come on. Let’s move this party to the dance floor. I love this song.”

Ally didn’t recognize the song either, but the beat was good. That’s all she needed. A good beat, guitar riffs, and the buzz of alcohol.

Cassie led them to the edge of the dance floor. She slipped between the bodies, then back out, shaking to the music. Turning to gaze at Ally, her lips curled upward. A laugh ripped from Ally’s chest as Cassie’s brows wiggled in sync with her hips.

Bouncing her body to the beat, Cassie dipped into some hip shakes. She grabbed Ally’s hands, pulling her closer until both were moving to the music. Swaying her hips from side to side, Ally noticed several pairs of eyes glued to them. Mostly men, but a few women, too.

She cocked a brow at Cassie, but her friend shook her head. “Expect to get some attention while we’re here. Especially when we get out there.” Cassie’s finger pointed toward the bodies packing the dance floor. “Guys love seeing two sexy chicks shaking their ass on the dance floor. And this song is
hot
…almost as hot as us.”

 Fighting back a snort, Ally rolled her eyes. Sexy? Hot? Her? Those words didn’t belong in the same sentence, but whatever. She liked dancing.

Closing her eyes, she allowed the music to block out the thought of strange men staring at her. No man would keep her from having fun and she was definitely having fun. Finally.

The guitar worked its magic, drawing out a few extra hip shakes from her. She opened her eyes again, flashing Cassie a smile.

“Remember how we did it in high school?” Cassie asked.

The memory had Ally’s body slowing until she finally stopped. How could she forget about their high school dances? They had every guy at their school drooling. Even a few of the younger male teachers had a hard time averting their eyes.

Giving Cassie a shrug, Ally took another gulp of her drink, waiting until the burn coursed through her body. Cassie took her elbow, tugging gently. “It’ll be over soon and then you’ll be sorry.”

Ally hesitated. It had been a long time since she’d been this reckless. She took a step back toward the bar, but Cassie came off the dance floor. One tug, then another, though and she had them at the edge, again.

“Bring your drink and come on,” her friend insisted.

“But…”