Ming winces. “I’m scheduled with Red, White, and Boobs for the foreseeable future, but Darlene’s so busy helping her brother with the bar, it’s only one show every few weeks. Momma Fatima—do you know her? Drag queen out in Astoria? She’s getting a show started. She’s a great host, and there’s potential there, but you know how it is.” She shrugs. “Meryton is the most consistent gig in town.”

I nod, frowning.

“You did get me started thinking about other applications for my skills, though, when we were talking to your cousin. I would be an amazing talent scout.” She twirls the length of her ponytail around her index finger. “Worth exploring, anyway.”

She’s quiet for a moment, expression thoughtful. Then she tosses her hair over her shoulder. “Anyway. We’ll see. But I should be done with the green dress in the next day or so.”

“Let me know when you’d like to do the exchange and I’ll have you eating like royalty.”

“How’s Friday? I can bring the dress by your office.”

“Absolutely!” I say, excited by both the dress and having something to distract me from the all-consuming trifecta of Jane, Meryton, and Darcy. “Friday will be perfect. The rest of the staff is going to be out for team-building, so it’ll just be you and me. I’ll make you a fancy coffee.”

“Ooh la la!”

“Same menu as last time?” I ask.

“If it ain’t broke . . .” She twinkles her fingers and descends to her train.

A few hours later, I’m at the intersection closest to my building, grandma cart loaded with my haul from Associated Supermarkets. A flash of red hair across the street catches my eye. Beside the door to the apartment lobby stand Ginn, Tonic, and Wickham. As I wait for the walk signal, I watch the trio, the girls’ heads in close as Wickham says something.

Ginn spots me when I reach the curb. “Hey, Kitten!” she hollers. Tonic and Wickham start. Wickham recovers with a rakish grin. Tonic chews at her thumbnail.

“Hey.” I push the cart their way. “What are you doing in this neck of the woods?”

“We wanted to see how Jane is.” Ginn pushes her glossy lower lip forward in sympathy. Word got out about the breakup last weekend, when Esteban asked Jane if “Thor” was going to be in attendance. “Maybe take him out. I guess he’s not in?”

The thoughtful gesture tugs at my chest a bit. “No, he had lessons all afternoon, but he should be back in the next twenty or so.”

Ginn looks to Wickham, who shrugs, making his puffer vest crinkle. Tonic picks at her fingernails. No one says anything. And they’re still in front of the door.

I raise an eyebrow. “Do you want to come up and wait?”

“Sure!” Ginn steps closer to the door.