Page 53 of The Write Stuff

“Because I’m going out with some writer friends.” Worried that she might bring up Huxley, who I still hadn’t told my mother about, I kept going. “Bree, Bella, and Hayley want to go out for drinks. You can come with us.”

Lucy looked dubious, so I added an enticement. “I’ll buy the drinks.”

She perked right up. “Seriously?”

I nodded. “Yes. I think it’s time you meet some new people in town.”

“That sounds like a great idea,” Mom enthused. “I want to hear all about it tomorrow, Lucy.”

Lucy glared at the back of the tablet I was holding. Mom couldn’t see her expression. “I’m not some circus animal you can put on display,” she grumbled.

“Of course not,” Mom said brightly. “You have no rhythm, so you can never be the dancing bear.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.

“Whatever.” Lucy grudgingly slunk toward her bedroom. “I’m going to take a shower and get ready.” The lure of free drinks was obviously too much for her to turn down.

I smiled in her wake. “Great. We’re leaving in two hours. Be ready.”

BREE CHOSE OUR DESTINATION. It was just easier to let her make the decision because that way, the only person she would have to blame if she didn’t like the cocktails was herself. She debated a variety of rooftop bars before finally choosing The Nest Rooftop Lounge, which had a gorgeous view of the river and a variety of colorful drink concoctions and food choices.

Lucy had dressed conservatively — for her — in tight capri pants and an oversized shirt that hung off one shoulder. I had no doubt that she was on the prowl — you never knew where a hot cowgirl might suddenly show up — and her mood, thankfully, wasn’t terrible as we joined the three other women at a table.

I took the time to introduce everybody. To my surprise, Hayley and Lucy exchanged shy smiles with one another and then immediately started looking at each other when they obviously thought the other wasn’t looking. There was an immediate vibe between them. I had no idea what to make of it.

I wasn’t the only one who picked up on it. Bree and Bella were both shocked into several minutes of silence as Lucy and Hayley talked about the drink options with only each other. Thankfully, they were seated next to one another, which made the conversation easier.

“Huh,” was all I managed finally when Lucy burst out laughing at something Hayley had said that only she could hear.

“Yeah, it’s weird,” Bree agreed, grinning. “You know, though, Hayley grew up on a farm. She’s not quite a cowgirl, but she’s not far removed from one.”

It was interesting, I mused. I couldn’t dwell on it, though. Once the server arrived to take our orders, I forced myself to focus on the menu.

“I will have the Dragon Berry Mojito,” I started.

“Is that that layered drink?” Bree asked, pointing toward a cocktail two tables over.

The server glanced in that direction, then nodded. “Yes. It’s one of our most popular drinks.”

“That’s what I want, too,” Bree said.

I ordered the steak tacos to go with my drink and smiled when both Hayley and Lucy ordered the macaroni and cheese. They seemed to be in their own little world, and I left them to do … whatever it was they were doing. I wanted Lucy to find new friends. I hadn’t seriously considered Hayley, even though I really liked her. I’d assumed she would be too staid for Lucy. In hindsight, that had been a mistake. Lucy needed somebody bossy in her life, and Hayley might just fit the bill.

Seemingly reading my mind, Bella poked my knee under the table. “If you’re not careful, you’re going to be the only one who doesn’t have a significant other.”

I laughed because it seemed to be expected, but the unanticipated pang near my heart threw me. I hadn’t believed I wanted a significant other — it was too much to focus on right now, what with moving to a new city and all — but what if I’d been wrong?

“I wouldn’t worry about Wylie being single,” Bree said on a laugh. She had that mischievous smile on her face that meant trouble, and I braced myself. “Word on the street is that she is dating somebody.”

I snorted, not caring how indelicate it sounded. “Um … that’s not true.”

“So, that wasn’t you on a date last night at The Olde Pink House?” Bree looked innocent enough — she was just one friend being curious about another friend’s life — but I knew better.

I also knew that I didn’t want Lucy to know who I had been spending time with. I darted a worried look toward my sister, but she was completely lost in her conversation with Hayley, who seemed to be telling some sort of story about a runaway cow and a field of potatoes.

Bree followed my gaze and then held out her hands in apology. “Sorry,” she said in a low voice. “I assumed it was just a secret from us.”

“It’s not a secret,” I countered. “Also, it wasn’t a date. We just … I …” She obviously knew who I’d gone to The Olde Pink House with, and they were assuming it was something it wasn’t. “We’re just friends,” I said finally. “Or, I guess it’s fair to say that we’re trying to be friends.”