Lesson 150- Sometimes it’s kinder to just say nothing.

Tonight I’m going to have to face Solem. I feel like I should be doing something to prepare somehow, but what can I even do? I was pacing the bar and freaking out when Laura declared we were going for pedicures immediately. Torin volunteered to drive us because Laura and Kyle carpooled. So that’s how I ended up sitting and getting a pedicure at like nine in the morning. Laura is grinning widely next to me and a small blonde woman with a bright smile who introduces herself as Catcher’s wife Mira met us here and has been talking a mile a minute since we arrived. Torin is hovering awkwardly outside the nail salon, apparently not comfortable coming in but unwilling to wander far either. So far my conclusions are that one, I really like Mira and two, this is not helping my nerves at all. Still, by the time we reach ten am we all have fabulous toenails and like ten more hours until it’s time to meet Solem. Damn. 

“I’m really sorry. I want to stay and keep you company but I’ve been awake for so long. I don’t think I’ll be able to get through the meeting tonight if I don’t go get some sleep.” Laura says guiltily. 

“And I left Catch with the kids, I ought to get back before he passes out. You’re welcome to come along if you like, but I’ll be pretty busy.” She says apologetically. I wave them both away.

“You guys go. I’ll hang out with Tori. It’ll be fine. This was a last minute plan and I totally understand that you both have lives.” I tell them with a forced smile. They both hug me and then Mira gives Laura a ride, leaving me standing outside the nail salon with Torin.

“You’re not fine.” He answers flatly and I shrug. 

“Not so much. I’m kind of freaking out a bit.” I admit to him. He hesitantly reaches out and puts an arm around my shoulder. I immediately lean into his side. 

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Torin asks. I sigh.

“Distract me somehow? You look pretty anxious too. Maybe we both need distracting.” I sigh again. 

“You might be right.” Torin answers, his brow furrowed as he thinks about what we can do to keep busy. We both slept a lot already so sleeping is out of the question. I don’t think I could get to sleep right now anyway. I might manage a nap later, but only if I can sort out these nerves. 

“Well… I have one idea, but I don’t want you to think I’m trying to make you do extra work or anything. You can say no.” He starts. I perk up.

“Hmm? What did you want to do?” I am basically excited for anything that might get my mind off of tonight.

“The bar took a bit of damage, I probably need to replace a lot of the furniture, a few of the shelves… I might even need to replace the actual bar top. Would you like to go shopping with me and look at some new stuff for the bar?” He suggests. I beam a smile up at him. I love this idea. 

“That actually sounds like a lot of fun. Plus going out shopping is something I’ve been missing. Any kind of shopping would be fun at this point. Let’s do it!” I say cheerfully. 

“Are you sure? We could do something more… Fun, if you want. We have a contract for us to work together, but that doesn’t mean all the time. I… I would like it if we could… Spend time together sometimes… When we aren’t working.” He says awkwardly. 

“Of course we can! I completely expect that you’re still going to hang out with me all the time, right? And I meant it, going furniture and bar stuff shopping with you sounds fun. I’m actually looking forward to it.” I promise. Torin nods and gives me a slight smile, but his ears are flushed red so I suspect my words made him a lot happier than he’s letting on. 

Torin and I spend the next few hours together shopping and ordering stuff for the bar. The amount of money he spends on it makes my head hurt. Why is furniture so expensive? He’s not even spending excessively or anything. This stuff is just expensive. Still, the shopping is a lot of fun and while I am still worried about tonight, it gives me something to work on, a goal. So the hours pass so much faster than I would have expected. At lunch time, Torin and I end up in an Italian place for food. A waitress comes up to take our order. 

“What can I get you?” She asks Torin with what I would describe as an exhausted customer service smile. I get it and I totally understand how she feels. Torin orders and she turns to me. 

“And for your wife?” She asks. Torin immediately goes bright red and blurts out.

“She’s not my wife!” The waitress laughs.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. My bad. I just kind of assumed, I heard you talking about furniture shopping together and it kind of sounded like you were married. I shouldn't have assumed. Are you moving in together or something, is that why you’re getting furniture? That must be exciting!” She says, clearly rambling a little bit as she tries to cover up her mistake. Torin opens his mouth to correct her again but I grab his hand to stop him. The poor girl is already embarrassed enough. No need to make it worse. 

“We were actually buying furniture for a renovation of his bar.” I tell her, not bothering to correct the rest of her assumptions. 

“Oh cool. I-” She looks over my shoulder and realises something else is flagging her down. 

“I should be taking your order. Sorry again, what can I get you?” She asks. I order my food and she goes rushing off. Torin’s face is red and he’s looking at me strangely. 

“What?” I ask. He shrugs.

“She… She thought that we were…” He trails off and I laugh. 

“Well sure. We’re a guy and a girl out getting lunch on a weekday while talking about furniture shopping. It was a reasonable guess for her to make.” I point out. Torin just gives an awkward laugh.

“Oh… I suppose you’re right. But… You didn’t correct her.” He comments. I shrug. 

“No point embarrassing her anymore than she already was.” I explain. 

“But… It doesn’t bother you?” He questions. I shake my head.

“Tori, I have absolutely no reason to be bothered or offended by someone assuming I’m with you.” I say firmly. His poker face falls into place, but he’s still red and he shifts my hand off of his and grabs it, holding it tightly. 

After lunch, we go back to the bar. Torin insists that I try to take a nap. I argued for a minute or two saying that I would be way too anxious to sleep, but he encourages me to try. Being awake during the day and getting actual sunlight after working nights for a while must be hitting me harder than I thought, because the moment my head touches the pillow, I pass out.

When I wake up, it’s because I can hear people talking out in the bar. I look up at the clock. What the hell, it’s like seven thirty! How is it almost eight already? I splash some water on my face and head out to the bar. I find everyone else is already here and waiting for Solem. Torin of course, Laura and Kyle, Catcher is here too and so is Eli. Damien is sitting at the bar smiling and nodding along to something Eli is saying. To my surprise, they aren’t the only ones. Jackson is here too, so is Richard and I’m pretty sure that Lindy is hiding in the corner next to Tori. I’m about to ask what they’re all doing here when someone speaks, making me jump.

“Hey, we were going to wake you soon. Torin told us to let you sleep as long as possible.” Rowen points out. I whirl around to see her. Seriously, she has RAINBOW hair. How do I keep managing to miss her? She should stand out and yet somehow I never notice her until she’s right in front of me. 

“Thanks for coming.” I tell her awkwardly and she smiles.

“Of course. I did say I would help if I could.” She reminds me. Rowen loops an arm over my shoulder and leads me further into the room. I realise there are even more people here than I thought. Steph and Anat are discussing riddles in the corner, and everyone’s favourite trio of vampires are here too, and it is so strange seeing them sober. Rowen leads me over to Torin then pushes me in his general direction so that I stumble and he catches me. 

“Special delivery, one sleeping beauty.” She comments. I look up at Torin anxiously. 

“Tori, why are all these people here? Solem is coming soon. Is it safe? I thought we weren’t opening the bar tonight.” I tell him worriedly. What on earth is going on?