Page 22 of September
“And you two?” Gwen asked, looking at Molly.
“We work together,” Molly said. “We’re both in HR.”
“I’m a trainer,” Juliet said.
“Personal trainer?” Logan asked.
“No, we both work for Southern Roastery. I train the new hires and stuff.”
“She’s being modest,” Molly added. “She just got promoted, so she’ll be taking on an entire region, and she’ll train managers and salespeople, too.”
“Congrats,” Logan said before she looked down and pulled out her phone. “Rory’s done early. I’ve got to go.”
“Rushing out because she’s heading home? Whipped?” Gwen teased.
“Yes,” Logan replied as she stood. “And you would be, too, if you were me. My girlfriend is amazing.”
“Yeah. Yeah.” Gwen laughed a little.
“It was nice meeting you both,” Logan said.
“You too,” Juliet replied, liking the idea that Logan had a girlfriend whowasn’tnamed Gwen.
Their drinks arrived shortly after Logan left, and Juliet didn’t know what to do with hers. It didn’t look particularly delicious to her, so she grabbed the little stick with the olives on it and twirled it as Molly told Gwen more about working in HR at a coffee company. Then, after a while, Molly went to the bathroom, leaving them alone for the first time since earlier in the day when things hadn’t been at all this casual or over drinks.
“Not a big martini drinker?” Gwen asked.
“Huh?” Juliet asked back.
“You haven’t taken one drink of that thing yet,” Gwen noted with a little chuckle.
“Oh, right.” She picked it up and brought it to her lips, taking the smallest sip before setting the glass back down, trying to hold in her grimace. “Happy?”
Gwen laughed a little louder and asked, “Why did you order it if you don’t like it?”
“I have no idea.” Juliet laughed, too. “I think I wanted to sound cool.”
“By ordering a martini?” Gwen asked.
“It’s a cool drink. James Bond drinks it, right?”
“I guess so. Not a big Bond fan.” Gwen pushed her half-finished beer toward Juliet. “Want a beer instead?”
“I can’t take your drink.”
“No, go for it,” Gwen replied. “I can drink this.” She pulled the martini toward herself just as the owner of the bar approached with her burger.
“Here you go.”
“Thanks, Candace.”
“No problem. Can I get you or your friend anything to eat?” she asked, looking at Juliet.
“Nothing for me,” Molly replied as she walked up and stood next to Candace. “Hey, I have to go,” she added. “I feel like crap.”
“What?”
“I just threw up in the bathroom,” Molly said.
