Page 19 of Changing Tides

“Let’s go out tonight,” Claire whispers, forcing me to peek at her. “I think you need it.”

“I think I do too,” I agree.

* * *

It’s beenages since I got myself dressed and ready for a night on the town. I’m wearing my favorite boyfriend jeans and plunging red bodysuit that I haven’t worn in forever because James and I rarely went out. I got my hair done at the spa and then came home and put on makeup for the first time in way too long. My skin is soft and glowy from my massage, and I am feeling pretty good as I slip into my dressy black sandals.

“Girl, you are a knockout!” Claire gasps when I come out of the bathroom and do a little spin. “James who?” Then she squeals and throws her arms around me. “This is going to be okay. Everything is. And tonight, we party! When was the last time we went out together withouthusbands?” She scrunches up her nose in mock distaste.

I laugh and shake my head. “You’re right. We need this. I need this. It’s Saturday night. Tomorrow I will figure out what I am doing with my life. I keep saying tomorrow but I really mean it. Tomorrow.”

“You got it, sis. I’m calling an Uber. We’re not taking any chances tonight.” She requests the Uber while I spritz on some of her perfume and a little guava lip gloss. By the time I finish our ride is here. We slide into the backseat of a white Toyota Prius. The driver is a young guy in his twenties.

“Va va voom, ladies! Where we going?” He looks at his driver app. “The Rusty Nail. Groovy. There’s live music there tonight!” He pulls away from the curb and for the first time in a long time, I feel free.

* * *

I feellike my younger self as we take seats at the bar closest to the live music. A cover band is playing all kinds of beachy tunes, like Jimmy Buffet and Kenny Chesney. I can tell the crowd in the bar is mostly locals, but everyone seems to be enjoying the mid-spring vibes on a Saturday night.

Claire waves her hand up to the cute bartender and he saunters over.

“Hiiii, can we have two shots of tequila please?” She gives her best flirtatious smile even though her two-carat diamond engagement ring is casting a glare in all directions.

“Sure thing, girls. What are we celebrating?” he asks. When Claire and I look at each other with raised eyebrows, he adds, “You always have to be celebrating something on a Saturday night, even if it’s just because it’s the weekend.” His smile is infectious, and I can tell this is his MO with all the women who come in here.

Claire looks at me and shrugs.

“Divorce!” I say, holding up my nearly empty margarita left over from dinner with a big smile. “And moving on.”

“Here, here!” A guy next to me holds his drink up in agreement. “Marriage sucks!” He has a lean build, tousled brown hair, and kind hazel eyes. And he’s very cute. We take our shots, and he takes a sip of his drink before turning to us. “I’m guessing you girls aren’t from around here,” he drawls in a very Jersey accent. He grins and the dimple in his left cheek catches my attention.

“You would be correct,” I say with a smile.

“I’m Claire, this is Sophie. We’re from Scranton,” Claire offers. “I’m here just for the weekend but my girl, Sophie is here…” She pauses to glance at me, cocking her head. “How longareyou here for?”

“You know,” I mimic her head tilt. “I’m thinking about staying a while longer.”

“Staying, eh? In that case, I’m Miles.” He offers his hand to Claire first. “This is Danny and Jack. We’ve lived here our whole lives.”

The other two guys give “married guy” waves in our direction, and they aren’t nearly as interested in engaging with us as Miles is. Before I know it, Miles has conned us all into more tequila shots.

Miles and I share several dances up front near the stage as Claire watches from our bar seats. Miles is cute, and the tequila is making me forget all about the fact that my life is crumbling. Then I’m back at the bar, laughing and taking shots and singing along to Jimmy Buffet’sMargaritavillewhen Danny turns to me. “Did you say your name is Sophie?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.

I nod, taking another big sip. “That’s me. Cute little lonely recently divorced Sophie.” I bop my shoulders up and down to the music. I’m going to cringe thinking about this tomorrow, I just know it.

“Are you staying with Ellie?” he asks, clearly more interested now.

“Iam,” I slur. “For the foreseeable future, I think.” I am getting a little sloppy now. “Why? Want to come over?” I give him my best flirtatious wink. Claire puts a water glass in front of me.

“Drink,” she says firmly. “I think you’re flagged.”

“I am not flagged!” I huff and turn back to Danny. “Am I flagged?” I pout.

Danny smiles and nods his head. “I think so. No, I’m not coming over.” He points at his wedding ring. “But I do know Ellie well, and Liam.”

“Oh, Liam! That asshole,” I shout. Miles barks out a laugh, as if it is the funniest thing he’s ever heard. Danny shoots him a look I am too drunk to interpret.

“Liamisan asshole,” Miles agrees, nodding vigorously.

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