Page 53 of Behind the Cascades
Laughing, I say, “Come on, it’s girl time. Spill the tea.”
She shrugs. “It’s been a little dry in that area. He’s been working overtime, covering a lot of shifts.”
“Want me to kick his ass?” Isla asks as she rebraids her light brown hair.
Now it’s my turn to spew champagne all over the place. Thankfully, no nail techs were sprayed this time. Isla has always been soft-spoken and reserved. I was hoping this would bring her out of her shell and I’m glad to see it has.
Olivia giggles. “Yeah, I, by all means. Just make sure while you’re doing it you let him know it’s because he’s not ‘putting out.’”
Isla nods. “Will do. So what about you, Charlie? Please tell me we can live vicariously through you and your hunk of a man.”
I smirk, “Nothin’ dry over here.”
Olivia pretends to gag and Isla laughs with me.
“Things are good. We’re still in the honeymoon phase. Making up for a lot of lost time.”
“Good for you. I’d never leave my house if I were you. You either, Liv. It’s a damn shame you aren’t getting it all the time. Have you tried talking to him about making more of an effort?”
I grimace without meaning too. Dan can be a sore subject for Olivia.
“Sorry, too personal?”
Olivia lightly laughs but I can tell it’s just to be polite. “Nah, I’m sure the entire town knows I’d like to see my husband more. There’s an ebb and flow. He’s busy for a while and then takes more time off. Right now, it is just an ebb.”
Isla nods and says, “I get that. Well, I’ll still roshambo him if you want.”
I glance at Olivia, who looks as confused as I am. “Rock, paper, scissors?”
Isla’s head snaps up. “Wait, that doesn’t mean, like, fight?”
Between the champagne and Isla’s serious tone, Olivia and I end up laughing so hard that we are doubled over.
“No, but it would be funny to see that as well. So what about you? Not dating anyone?”
She shrugs and looks away quickly. “I’ve been sort of seeing Jeff. But he doesn’t want to label our relationship, so I try to keep it quiet.”
Olivia and I both exchange worried glances.
“Jeff, as in Mayor Waltons’ son?” Olivia asks.
Isla nods, looking uncomfortable. I don’t know who Jeff is but based on the fact that he’s not committing and Olivia’s facial expression, I’m going to assume he’s a dirtbag.
Olivia shakes it off and tries to dissipate the awkward tensionthat is now lingering. “I heard he was back in town! He went to Yale, right? Spent some time on the East Coast?”
“Yeah, he finished law school and then his dad wanted him back for his campaign in a few years.”
“That’s right! I heard he had plans to run for governor.”
Isla beams in response. “Yep! Jeff is really excited about it.”
I watch as Olivia tries to smile, but it doesn’t quite seem genuine to someone who knows her as well as I do. “Well, I hope it all works out! If not, we can make Hayes invite some of his hunky friends to town.”
“Can he just do that anyway? I wouldn’t mind the eye candy.” Isla responds while taking another sip of her champagne.
I chuckle. “I’ll ask him to start a roster.”
The rest of our spa afternoon is spent the same. Laughing and sipping champagne while getting some much-needed TLC.
