Page 39 of Giddy-Up
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Day two of not beinga virgin and Riley felt like a new woman.A more confident one.A happier one—thank you multiple orgasms.And a stronger one.Which would explain why she agreed to a girl’s lunch today at The Tipsy Cow.With not just Bella, but with a woman called Cat and another woman called Rachel.
You’ve got this.
Okay.As free as she felt, she was still her, and still nervous.That was clear to anyone who bothered to look her way as her leg tapped up and down on the wooden floor.
Riley was early and had scoped out a booth in the dark corner of the local tavern.Away from the dance floor and away from the older cowboys perched on stools along the bar.Here she could sip on her orange juice, stare at the odd neon signs scattered all over the walls and freak out in peace.
“Hi.”Riley’s head lifted at Bella’s cheery voice.Immediately, she noticed that her new friend wasn’t alone.
Offering a nervous smile to each of the women as they approached the table, it was the tall, slender woman with long black hair that spoke first.
“Hi, Riley!I think we briefly met at Libby’s wedding, but we didn’t get a chance to chat.”She slid into the booth opposite her.“I’m Cat.”Is that a British accent?
Before Riley could reply, the petite redhead was sliding into the seat next to her.“And I’m Rachel, nice to meet you, sugar.”A kind smile was flashed her way.
Bella had taken a seat next to Cat.And they were now all looking at Riley.Expectantly.
Now would be a good time to talk.
“Um, hi,” she mumbled.“Um, Bella has told me a lot about you.”
“Same,” Cat replied, a mischievous glint in her piercing blue eyes.“I think her exact words were...‘Riley’s awesome’.She’s also warned us to be on our best behaviour too, in case we scare you off, so she mustreallylike you.”
Scare me off?
“Actually,” Bella interrupted, “what I said was—maybe wait until your third lunch with her to start with the sex jokes.”
Cat rolled her eyes in response before turning to Bella.“You all act like I’m some kind of sex pest.I’m a respectable woman I’ll have you know.A mum and everything.”
“Talking of which, I heard you got into it with Betty-Jo the other day at the school gate?”Rachel inquired.
Cat shrugged.“Yeah, well, Betty-Jo’s son has been bothering Dylan, so it was just a friendly reminder that if her son continued to be a dick, then I had no trouble being one too.”A sly grin spread across her face.
“I don’t think you can call a ten-year-old adick,” Rachel chastised while Bella giggled.
Cat treated Rachel to another shrug.“Being adickisn’t restricted to age, honey.Some people are just born that way.”
Bella was laughing harder now.And louder.Riley couldn’t help but smile.These women were funny.The more they talked around her, the more her nerves were easing.
“Right.”Cat’s hands came down on the dark wood table.“I’m getting drinks.Shall I order us some food too?I was thinking burger and fries all round unless anyone has any objections?”
There was a resounding “yes please” from Rachel and Bella.Eyes turned to her again afterward, where she choked out a “um, yes, fine with me.”That was all it took for Cat to disappear over to the bar.
Bella and Rachel chatted amongst themselves after that and seemed satisfied with a few head nods for answers when they tried to include Riley.She was working her way up to a conversation.Or at least that’s what she kept telling herself.
Once Cat returned, talk turned to their friend Libby.She learned all about how Libby and Zach would be taking their honeymoon in Europe next spring.How Cat and Rachel thought they were trying for a baby.And what amazing aunts they would all be.
“Oh my God.”Rachel’s hand covered Riley’s arm.“I just had a thought.If you marry Wade, you and Libby will be sisters-in-law.”
