Page 131 of June

“I don’t know,” Caroline said. “A beer, maybe.”

“What? No way,” Rory spoke from behind Caroline as she walked up to them, holding Logan’s hand. “Candace is a professional, badass mixologist. She’s a genius behind the bar. Have her make you something good.”

“Favorite flavors?” Candace asked Caroline.

“I don’t know,” she said. “I like citrus stuff.”

Candace appeared deep in thought and replied, “Give me a minute. I’ll bring it out.”

“You don’t need to know anything else?” Caroline asked.

“Nope,” Candace said and walked off.

The next several minutes were busy for Caroline, and Enid got a little lost in the crowd as everyone told Caroline Happy Birthday. Linden and Asher approached her first, offering to buy her a drink later. Melinda and Kyle were next, and they did the same. On and on it went until they were all sitting around tables that had been pushed together, sharing drinks, food, and some laughs. The drink Candace had made for her had been perfect, and Caroline knew it was her new favorite drink by far. She loved it. She found herself laughing and learning more about Enid’s friends, and this time, it was much easier. No one asked her questions about school or finding a major or career. Caroline thanked Melinda for the introduction to the street artist, and for the first time in her life, she felt like she had something to talk about.

“You two knew about this?” she asked Viv and Jodie later, finding them snuggled up in a booth.

“Yeah. Enid asked us not to say anything,” Jodie replied.

“Sorry, Care. I didn’t want to ruin the surprise,” Viv said.

“She’s great, isn’t she?” Caroline asked about Enid, who was talking to Rory and Logan by the bar.

“She is, yeah,” Viv replied.

“I really don’t want her to go,” Caroline admitted.

“Hey, it’s your birthday. We’re getting a new apartment, and things are good. Just remember that tonight, okay? Worry about the rest tomorrow,” Jodie suggested.

“It’s kind of hard when Enid is being the perfect girlfriend. She just gets me, guys.” Caroline shrugged. “And I get her. I know I’ll do the distance thing if I have to. I just don’t want to. I want her here walking around New Orleans, hand in hand with me.”

“Tomorrow,” Jodie said. “Tonight, you’re supposed to be getting drunk.”

“You don’t have to get drunk,” Viv interjected, tapping Jodie’s stomach playfully.

“I don’t really want to get drunk. Idowant to have, like, thirty of the drink that Candace made me, but that would kill me, so I’ll have one every so often instead.” She looked over at Enid. “We’re going to stay at Enid’s tonight, but I forgot to pack a bag, so I’ll stop by the room and grab some stuff if she’s okay with it. You two can stay in the room tonight if Jodie’s roommate is back.”

“I would suggest talking to Enid about that plan first,” Viv said.

“What? Why?” she asked.

“Just trust her,” Jodie said as she pulled Viv in closer.

“Are you two just going to be all over each other forever now?” Caroline asked with a smile at her friends.

“I hope so,” Jodie replied.

“Me too,” Viv said, resting her head on Jodie’s shoulder.

Caroline then turned to see that Enid was still talking to Rory and Logan. She missed her, and Enid was in the same room, no more than fifteen feet away. How was she ever going to handle her being in another state?

CHAPTER 33

“Hi,” Enid said as she sat down in the booth next to Caroline.

“Hi,” Caroline replied with a smile. “I can’t believe you did all this.”

“It was a few calls and some texts. Candace was the one who lent us the bar. I think I owe her my firstborn now, but we didn’t shake on it, so I might still be able to keep them if I decide I actually want kids one day. Oh, that’s what I can do: I can just not have them. Then, she can’t take them.”

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