Taboo Boss - Natasha L. Black Page 0,100

up and make me stay.”

We looked at each other for a few seconds before bursting into laughter. She shook her head and reached into the truck for the first box. “Come on. Let’s get this emptied out. My parents want me to bring you over to see them for dinner tonight.”

It took the next couple of hours to unload everything, but eventually the little apartment was stuffed to the gills, and I was again contemplating a storage unit. I hadn’t realized how much I’d accumulated during my time in Michigan. Maybe this would be a good opportunity to do some downsizing. Of course, if I did that, I wouldn’t have it when I went back and found a new apartment. Again.

When we were finally finished, Stephanie and I headed over to her parents’ house. They lived in the same place they did when we were little girls and played together in the tree house in the backyard. Both rushed out to hug me as soon as I got out of the car. They were like a second set of parents to me, and I was happy to get a chance to see them.

“I’m so glad you got here safely,” Melanie said.

“Do you need any help unloading?” George asked.

I smiled and shook my head. “No, thank you. Stephanie and I managed to get the truck unloaded before we came over here. I haven’t unpacked anything, yet. But just having everything in the apartment feels like a victory.”

“Well, come on in and help me finish dinner. You look like you could use a good meal and some relaxation.”

“I’m not going to argue that,” I said.

Stephanie and I spent the evening with her parents eating dinner and reminiscing over old times. I would have stayed longer, but the walls of boxes filling up the rooms of my apartment loomed over me. I needed to at least get the basics unpacked so I could settle in. Like I told Stephanie, I didn’t know how long I was going to be in Astoria. I came back to help my mother take care of my father while he recovered, and none of us knew how long that might be. It would be best if I was settled in as soon as possible so I could really focus on what needed to be done here.

As soon as we got back to the apartment, Stephanie surprised me by pulling an overnight bag out of the trunk along with a small cooler.

“Up for an old-fashioned sleepover?” she asked.

“Absolutely. What’s in the cooler?”

We got inside, and she propped the cooler on the one corner of the dining area table that was visible. Popping the lid, she revealed a bottle of wine, cheese, and chocolate.

“Maybe not so old-fashioned,” she said.

I laughed and directed her to the kitchen boxes so she could find the wine opener and glasses. We drank and laughed as we unpacked. It was much easier going through the overwhelming process of organizing and settling in with my best friend there to do it with me. We were having a blast until Stephanie dropped the question I’d been waiting and dreading to hear.

“Does Mason know you’re back?”

My heart gave a hard pound in my chest, and I shook my head. My lips pressed hard together, I focused on organizing my books in the shelf in front of me.

“I don’t really want to talk about him,” I said.

Thankfully, Stephanie took the hint and dropped it.

2

Mason

It was a pretty bad look for the bar when my brothers and I nearly outnumbered the actual customers. The only other people there were a couple of old guys sitting on the stools and scattered at the few tables. They were the town drunks, known for coming in and nursing drinks from opening until close. These were the type of people who woke up still a little bit alcohol soaked from the night before and immediately got going again. When their families tired of them drinking at home, or the lack of having a family at home got to them enough, they made their way here to the bar.

The Hollow was like another home for them. But maybe not in the heartwarming way that sounded. More like they just wandered in already three sheets to the wind and draped themselves over whatever seat they made it to. A beer or two filled up the hours from the time the door opened until I locked it behind them in the wee hours of the morning. It