Page 7 of Caught Up In You

Owen

How did you even find this place?

Francie

It’s halfway between you and Indy and the photos online looked delightfully sketchy

How is it? You’re not gonna get Deliveranced, are you?

If you hear banjos, RUN

I gaze around the dim bar that’s somehow smoky even though no one is smoking. But I spot a Pride flag hanging behind the bar next to a photo of a young Senator Obama shaking hands with a younger version of the grizzled bartender. I snap a photo and send it to Francie, then settle into a chair at an open table.

Francie

Oh good! Promise me you’ll stay and have a beer? I know your instinct is to go all introvert and bolt, but you’ve been working nonstop for too long. Stay and relax

Owen

Says the woman who just blew me off for a shift in the ER

Francie

Rude

But fair

Anyway I wanted to tell you in person but the medical gods keep conspiring against us, so…

A photo pops up of her left hand, her deep brown skin glistening in a golden hour sunbeam and a shockingly large diamond on her ring finger.

Owen

Holy shit! He did it! Congrats!

Francie

Thank you! You’ll be one of my bridesmen?

Owen

You don’t want me on Josh’s side?

Francie

Absolutely not. You’ll be wearing salmon pink with my sisters, you brat

Owen

Whatever the bride wants

Francie

Yay! Okay, now stop staring at your phone. Talk to a stranger! Get in some trouble! Have a one-night stand! Do something you’ll regret!

Owen

I’ll get right on that, Frank

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