The Restaurant(40)

“Is it time for Friday happy hour yet?”

“Almost. I haven’t showered yet today. I should probably do that, and then we can walk into town and grab a drink at the Club Car maybe and eventually make our way over to Mimi’s Place.”

“I’m going to take a power nap, then. That sofa in the living room is calling to me. I’ll be ready to go when you are.”

Jill went upstairs and took her time showering and getting ready. She knew Billy was good for a solid hour nap. He could fall asleep anywhere easily. It was a little cool out, so she decided on a soft cashmere v-neck sweater in a pretty burgundy shade and her favorite slim jeans and charcoal gray cowboy boots. She blew her hair dry and used a curling iron to add a few waves here and there.

Billy sat up when he heard her footsteps coming down the stairs. Her boots were loud against the hard wood floors.

They walked to Main Street and down to the Club Car. It was just a little after five but already getting busy as lots of people were eager for after work Friday cocktails. Jill found two seats at the end of the bar and they settled in. Once they had their drinks, a cabernet for Jill and a Jack and Coke for Billy, they looked around at the parade of people walking along Main Street.

“This is a busy place,” Billy commented.

“Weekends are always busy here. And I think one of the ferries must have just landed.” They saw people strolling by with luggage. The atmosphere in the Club Car was festive. People were happy to be done with work for the week or on vacation, even if just for the weekend.

“I can see why you like it here. It’s a beautiful place,” Billy said.

“It really is. As much as I love Manhattan, Nantucket will always be home. It’s nice to be here again and to be around my sisters. We really hadn’t spent much time together in recent years. We talk on the phone of course, but it’s just nice to hang out more.”

“I bet. Maybe your grandmother knew what she was doing. Even if I don’t fully approve.” Billy said.

Jill grew silent for a moment, thinking of Grams. “It’s strange that she’s not here. And that we’re staying in her house. I miss her.”

Billy reached over and gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I know. She had a good, long life. Crazy to think she owned a restaurant and none of you knew. What was up with that?”

“I’m not entirely sure. She won it in a bet of some sort. That’s all we know. Mandy is reading her diary, so maybe she’ll be able to fill us in at some point.”

“Hey, I forgot to ask. How did your date go the other night?”

Jill was surprised by the question as it had been over a week and she’d thought Billy would have asked about it sooner.

“It was fine. He’s a nice guy. He’s not from around here, so I probably won’t see him again.”

“Hmm. I thought you said he lived in New York?”

“Well, yeah, he does. But I’m not exactly living there at the moment,” she reminded him.

“Right. But, if you start coming home more often, you never know.”

Jill didn’t feel like talking about Mac, who she hadn’t heard from since their date. Though the way they’d left it she was supposed to get in touch with him if she was coming back to the city. She sighed.

“Do you want to head to Mimi’s Place soon?”

Billy finished his drink and set it down on the counter.

“Lead the way.”





Jill was glad to see that Mimi’s Place was busy when they arrived. Every seat at the bar was full. Emma was at the hostess station and smiled when she saw them walk in.

“You’re in luck. I just had a cancellation and their table is ready. You guys can have it. It’s being set up now.”

A moment later, Emma led them to a cozy table for two by a window overlooking Main Street.

They ordered a bottle of Charles Krug Cabernet from Anna, their waitress, and as she poured the wine, she told them the specials. Two of them were the same from the night before, which Jill was happy to hear.

“We have some menu additions tonight—lobster pot pie, stuffed lemon sole and an appetizer of tater tots topped with braised short ribs.”

“I’ll try the lobster pot pie,” Jill said.

“And I’ll do the New York strip steak, medium.”

“Great. Would you like an appetizer to start?”

Billy looked at Jill. “If I get that short ribs appetizer will you have some?”

She laughed. “What do you think? Of course.”

Everything was good. Jill could only eat half of her meal as it was so rich, and she’d eaten more of the short ribs appetizer than she should have.

Billy cleaned his plate and was impressed with everything.

“I can’t believe the three of you own this place,” he said as he looked around the restaurant.

“The four of us,” she corrected him.

“Oh, right. But still, it’s impressive.”

“It doesn’t seem real that we own a restaurant,” she admitted.

Emma brought their check over to them when they finished.

“We never talked about this, but Gary said if we come in to eat, it goes on the house account. There’s no bill, just tip for the server. Hope everything was good?”