Page 47 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
“Well, it found its way back to us after all these years. It’s something in the way of magic. Put it on.”
Liz dutifully reached for the bracelet and slid it over her wrist, looking down at it for a long moment. Melody looked at it too, admiring the way the charms sparkled under the tavern’s ambient lighting. Then the waitress brought them their drinks.
Melody pulled hers to her. “Okay, here’s the plan. Drink every last drop. I’ll do the same. Then we’re going to dance. If you’re not relaxed after one spin on the dance floor, we’ll leave. A girls’ night can be had anywhere.”
Liz looked surprised and also a bit relieved. “I like that plan.” She pulled her drink to her, pursing her lips around the straw that protruded out of the pale-green liquid, and started slurping. An hour later, she’d finished off several drinks and was swaying on the dance floor and laughing hysterically at something Melody had said.
Melody was going to have to carry Liz home if she wasn’t careful. Liz was petite, but Melody had already had two drinks herself and was feeling a little tipsy as well. The bartender was heavy on the liquor and light on the mix tonight. “We need a new plan for how we’re going to get home,” Melody told Liz, leaning in as they danced. “I don’t think I can drive after that last margarita. It was stronger than I expected.”
Melody expected that Liz would look worried. Instead, she laughed. That’s how Melody knew for certain they were both plastered.
“We’ll call Rose,” Liz suggested.
“Now I know you’re wasted,” Melody said, making Liz laugh even harder.What was in those drinks?
Liz headed off the dance floor and Melody followed, feeling like her body was one step behind her brain. She didn’t drink hard liquor very often. Maybe that was it. “We need fresh air,” Liz called behind her. She held up her cell phone. “And I’ll call Rose.”
They stepped outside and the cool air hit Melody’s warm cheeks. Melody watched as Liz tapped her phone’s screen and held it to her ear.
It rang until Melody was certain that Rose wasn’t going to answer. Then Melody heard the faint sound of Rose’s voice on the other line.
“Rose,” Liz slurred. “I need your h-help,” she hiccupped.
Melody watched, imagining Rose’s protests on the other line.
“Melody and I are stranded on our girls’ night. Can you come get us at the tavern? We’re in the parking lot.” Liz listened for a beat and then she shook her head. “We’re too flimsy to walk.”
Melody grinned. “You mean tipsy. She told us to walk?”
Liz ignored Melody and continued to talk to Rose. “Okay. Yes. We’ll be in the parking lot waiting for you. Bye.” Liz disconnected the call and shoved her phone back in her purse. “She’s coming to get us.”
“That’s very nice of her,” Melody said sarcastically. She looked around for somewhere to sit, gathering that it might be a long wait. She didn’t expect that Rose was going to rush out of whatever she was doing. She sighed and sat on a cement parking block.
Liz blew out a breath as she sat beside her. She moved slowly and seemed to be off-kilter.
“You okay?” Melody asked, glancing over.
Liz nodded. “Yeah. I’m fine. Better than fine.”
There was a slight tremble to her words though that had Melody taking a closer look. Liz’s mouth was moving from one side to the other as if she was bottling in thoughts or emotions. She’d been giggly inside the tavern, but maybe the cool air had sobered her.
“What are you thinking about?” Melody asked.
Liz shrugged and looked down at the pavement. “Tonight was fun. Today was fun. It’s nice to have you back.”
“And that makes you sad?”
“No.” Liz looked over, her eyes shining behind her glasses. “That makes me happy. Really happy.” She lifted her glasses and wiped at a tear below her eye. “I should have warned you. I’m a bit of an emotional drinker.” She laughed softly at herself. “I giggle a lot, but I can also start crying in my wineglass.”
Melody bumped her shoulder against Liz’s. “Nowyou tell me. This’ll be good to know for the next time we go out.”
Liz’s expression became serious. “Right.”
Melody could see the question in her friend’s eyes. It wouldn’t help for Melody to tell her yet again that she would be back after she left. That she wouldn’t stay away so long this time. Certainly not for nine years. Melody would have to prove it. She’d have to prove herself. That was fair.
She tipped her face back and looked up at the sky, wondering why she didn’t go outside and look at the stars more often. “So, do you think fireworks did the trick? Do you think Jo’s up there among the stars, looking down on us?”
Liz tipped her head back as well and nearly fell off the cement parking block they were sitting on.
