Page 25 of Forever and Other Lies

“Yep. Hand me another beer.”

Derek pulled out another cold can and handed it to Nick. “Hey, speak of the devil, there’s Shamus now.” He waved. “Shamus, how about some bagpipe music?”

The redheaded man gave two thumbs up and dashed back into his house.

Ophelia remained on her porch, possibly contemplating her next move. Maybe wondering just how far her garden hose would reach?

Derek raised his beer in a silent toast. “Oh, she’s definitely calling my mother now.”

“Yep,” Nick agreed, cracking open his beer. “And I’m definitely going to have to move.”

“Yep,” Derek echoed.

Shamus returned, bagpipes blaring ‘Scotland the Brave.’

“Are we torturing the Meddler or ourselves?” Nick asked.

“Not sure,” Derek grimaced as Shamus drew closer.

“Got any ideas for this grand gesture?”

“Not a one.”

“You’re no help,” Nick muttered.

“Oh, I’m plenty of help,” Derek protested.

“You help me get into trouble, not out of it,” Nick countered.

“Very true.” Derek wished he could help his friend with his love life, but this was beyond him. “Just spill your guts. Women love it when you open up about your feelings and crap like that.”

Nick turned, his eyes narrowing. “Was that in the movie? No way, that’s from personal experience.”

“Hey, it’s the best I’ve got.”

“Have you opened up to Tommy yet?”

“We’re talking about you, not me.” Derek squirmed. He had come toNick’sto escape Tommy, not talk about him.

“I’ve got stuff to do before Burke returns for the BBQ. And if you’ve got nothing better to do, the grass needs cutting.”

Derek groaned. “Really? Manual labor? How about another beer first?”

“Nope. One more beer leads to two.” Nick stood, inching toward the ladder.

“Come on, just one!”

Chapter 11

“Come on, just one. It’s only seven o’clock. You won’t turn into a pumpkin until midnight.” Jayna dragged Jessica into Patty’s Pub.

“Ha ha,” Jessica let out a forced laugh and rolled her eyes. “And it was Cinderella’s carriage that turned into a pumpkin, not her.”

“Whatever, I never liked fairy tales. The whole prince-saving-the-princess-with-a-kiss thing?” Jayna threw up her hands. “Never bought into that load of BS.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Jessica groaned. “I know you’re an independent woman. You don’t need a man.”

Jayna scanned the busy bar for a table. Hockey playoffs dominated the numerous screens, and hockey fans occupied all the tables. She glanced back at Jessica. “Maybe you should buy into my philosophy a little more yourself.”

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