Page 37 of High Side
“Almost better?” Vicki asked.
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m in the walking boot now instead of crutches only, and I’m back to light regular work next week.”
“I bet the L’s will be glad for that.”
Liz and Lupe would be ecstatic. They wanted her out of the office and out of their hair, although she had sat down with Lupe and done the payroll this week, which was a good thing to learn how to pinch hit. Tomorrow she would help do the estimated taxes.
She needed to know the business in and out, and Kylie had to admit, she was a little lackadaisical about it. She liked the physical. The rafting.
“They do want me back on the river for the season, yeah.”
“Evie says the raft and ride trips are going well.”
“Yeah. Yeah, they’re good. People love all the options. We’re doing a summer tubing thing with the ski mountain too. Ride the lift, tube down the slope since it’s grass right now.”
“Nice.”
“Hey, you guys. What can I get you?” The server took their drink and food orders, then left them alone again. They all watched her go, and Danielle laughed when they looked back at each other.
“Anyone else feel like a dirty old lady?”
Kylie snorted. “I’m not that old. And she has to be old enough to serve alcohol.” That girl was Brittany’s age, and Kylie was dating her, right?
“Mmm. You just say that because you’re seeing a recent college grad. Or so I hear.” That was Vicki, who plonked her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her hands.
“I am. For how long, I don’t know. I mean, I don’t think it’s a long-term thing.” She made it sound casual, but she was pretty sad hearing the words come out of her mouth. The truth was that Brittany was a recent college grad. Those girls summered in Summit Springs. They didn’t settle down.
And what did they really know about each other anyway?
“Bummer.” Vicki studied her closely. “You okay with that?”
“I don’t know. You know I don’t go for summer flings.”
“I do. That’s why I was asking.”
She sighed, then took a sip of her beer to ponder her answer. “I really like her. I did on sight. She’s fun, funny, hot, and good at her job.” Kylie lifted her hands in a futile gesture. “I just can’t get a read on how she feels. It’s like, hot and cold.”
“How?” Danielle hummed when their artichoke dip arrived, grabbing a breadstick to dip.
“Well, like she’s been staying over most nights, and she’s been amazing since I hurt myself, but then I was asking her to come out tonight to meet you guys and she was like, nah. She went swimming with Jilly.”
“So how many times has she done that?” Danielle asked with her mouth full.
“What?”
“Blown you off.”
“Um. Just tonight.”
“Has she met any of your other friends?” Vicki asked.
“Well, yeah, we work together.”
“So she had other plans.” Vicki shrugged. “Now. If she starts doing it all the time and sleeping at the dorms, you know she decided it was too much too soon and is backing off.”
“Always so practical.” Though either one of these women had more experience than her in relationships, so maybe she ought to listen.
“Yep. You’re still in the getting-to-know-you phase. Don’t make assumptions.” Danielle winked. “Eat. Tell us all the gossip. And don’t dwell.”
