Page 46 of Trusting You
“Derek’s record is three. If you beat that I will pretty much hate you forever,” Emily said smugly.
“In one round? Damn, Derek. After three kids he can still throw down? I’m impressed.” Nora reached out to offer Emily a high five.
Emily blushed and beamed. If she wasn’t such a beautiful, kind person I would punch her.
I needed to end this conversation. “Let’s just say that it was a respectable amount and leave it at that.”
“You are no fun.”
Emily made a pouty face. I hadn’t pegged her for a pervy girl like Nora, but hey, people surprise you. “Anyway…so are you guys together now? I thought you weren’t staying.”
“I’m not. I’m going back to New York in January. We’re just having fun. Seeing where things go. He doesn’t want anything serious because of the brewery, and I just got out of a long-term relationship.”
“So you are friends with benefits?”
“No. I don’t think so. I hate that term. We just decided to keep it casual.”
“You need to have an RDT—relationship defining talk.” Nora nodded sagely.
“First of all, we are not in high school anymore. And second of all, no. I had fun, I am having fun. I have spent years of my life having no fun. So I am not going to stop the fun or change the fun. I just want sexy fun.” I sounded like a spoiled toddler, but after years of hard work and disappointment, it was nice to have something special, even if it was just temporary. I certainly wasn’t going to jeopardize this. It went against my very nature as a cautious planner, but I loved the idea of just having fun with Liam.
“Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that.” I took a swig of Maggie’s second mimosa to try and distract from this conversation.
Maggie sat quietly stirring her coffee. “I think you’re going to marry this guy.” She didn’t look up, just sat and stared into the mug. I had not expected that from her.
“Maggie, stop. That’s not going to happen.”
“I think you will. He seems obsessed with you. And he is exactly the type of guy you need.”
I stared at her.
“Look at you—starting a new job and totally crushing it. You got up in that German outfit and danced with the brass band. I have never seen you like this. You are so confident and positive and full of life. Liam Quinn is good for you. This job is good for you. And this town is good for you.” She finished her monologue and went back to idly stirring her coffee.
Nora looked at me with eyes the size of saucers. “Damn, Mags, you are permanently invited to Monday breakfast.”
Maggie laughed. I could tell she was finally enjoying herself a bit. My sister did not loosen up often, but I could see it happening slowly.
I would not have guessed that this combination of women would work, but what did I know? Maggie and Nora knew each other well, but I didn’t get the sense they had ever hung out in my absence. I assumed Maggie forgot that Nora shared everything with everyone and generally held nothing back. Emily wasn’t batting an eyelash, so there must be a lot going on beneath that sunny preschool teacher exterior. But she was fitting in and having fun.
I was suddenly overcome with gratitude for these pervy, snarky women. I felt a lot less alone knowing they had my back.
24
Cecelia
Trent leaned on the bar,gently drying glassware, his large body almost balletic behind the bar. Every movement was deliberate and efficient.
“You are really good at this, you know. “
“Thanks. I’ve been bartending for a long time.”
“How long?”
“Well, I started as soon as I turned twenty-one. Before that I worked as a barback in high school. As soon as I got a work permit at sixteen I went and applied for a job. Then I graduated up to bartending once it was legal. Bartended full time while I went to Tech and then started working here four years ago with Liam and have never really stopped. Pulling pints is a hell of a lot easier than mixing complicated drinks though.”
“Well, you clearly know what you’re doing.”
“Thanks.”
