Page 29 of Just This Once

I sipped my margarita, andholy shitit was strong. I coughed as it burned down my tightening throat.

Annie laughed. “Sorry about that. I think I was a little heavy handed with the tequila tonight.”

“It’s great,” I squeaked and sipped again.

Playful conversation folded over me as I took in my surroundings. The bookstore had been transformed from a frumpy run-of-the-mill bookshop to a place where the women of Outtatowner relaxed and laughed. Chairs and settees were mismatched. One woman told a story while she knitted something in her lap. All walks of life were represented among the Bluebirds.

“The Bluebirds can pretty much come through withanythingthat needs doing in this town,” MJ said. “What do you need our help with?”

I looked around again. My knee bounced. “I don’t want to take away from whatever you were doing. Were you talking about a book or something?”

Kate laughed. “Not a chance. We only tell people it’s a book club.” She turned toward Annie. “What was the book for tonight?”

Annie grinned. “The Conqueror of Desire—some bodice ripper Mabel found.” She shrugged. “It’s actually pretty good.”

Sylvie leaned in. “We always get our story straight just in case anyone asks what book we’re discussing.”

I raised my eyebrows and nodded. “Smart.”

“So let’s hear it. How can we help?” MJ asked, her question drawing the curiosity of the entirety of the Bluebirds.

I straightened. “Well, I had a whole presentation ready.” I looked down at my laptop and prayed it would boot up after the tumble.

Bug King gestured with her crystal cut glass of sweet tea. “This really isn’t a presentation kind of a group. Just lay it on us.”

Bug was straightforward. No nonsense. I didn’t know quite how she was related to Whip, but I liked her already.

“Yes, ma’am.” I cleared my throat. “You may know that I am new to Outtatowner. My mother”—I gestured toward my mom, who offered an encouraging smile—“and stepdad moved here a few years ago. I was living in Virginia, but after some time I decided I needed a fresh start.”

All eyes were on me. The group of women were listening intently as if my story was riveting. They didn’t need to know about how I’d hung my hopes on a man who’d turned out to be the worst kind of liar—the kind that twisted the truth and made you believeyouwere the problem. For a long time I’d thought if I was just pretty enough or smart enough or perfect enough that I would be everything Craig ever wanted. As it turned out, hewasn’t even looking for my kind of perfect. He wasn’t looking for a square peg, and no amount of contorting who I was would fit into that round hole.

I realized then I would always be the one who cared the most. I’d shown my true feelings, and he’d used them against me. I had been too stubborn to accept the obvious and leave.Never again.

“Outtatowner is that fresh start,” I continued, gathering my courage. “I have family here and fell in love with the coast on the short visits I’ve made. Right now I’m substitute teaching sixth grade at the junior high school. I’m doing everything I can to make a good impression, and I’m hoping it can transition to a full-time position.” I willed my voice to stay steady. I hated the feeling that I was baring my soul, but I needed their support. “There’s nothing left for me in Virginia.”

“And what can we do for you, dear?” Tootie’s soft eyes made the lump in my throat grow larger.

“I’ve been put in charge of the Outtatowner Education Foundation. There are a lot of areas that are severely in need of fundraising. We need money for extra school supplies, after-school enrichment programs. The school library is an area I’d really like to focus on. The books are quite literally falling apart, technology is nonexistent, and we aren’t providing for the children in a way that will prepare them for how rapidly things in our world change. Without this money, nothing will improve. And if that’s the case, what are we even doing?”

Bug King’s eyebrow lifted. “That’s quite an impassioned speech for a tourist.”

I bit back a grin. Her bold personality didn’t deter me in the slightest. My chin lifted. “I plan to be a townie before too long.”

Her chin dipped slightly, and I took that as a win.

Tootie’s hands clapped together. “I, for one, love a proper fundraiser. I’m sure we can come up with some ideas that will impress your boss and bring a little excitement to our town.”

Lark walked toward the small counter that held the register, then bent over the counter with her butt in the air as her feet lifted off the ground. When she settled back on her feet, she turned and smiled, holding a pad of paper and a pen. “I’ll take notes.”

“Okay, Bluebirds,” MJ announced, gathering the group together. “Let’s hear your ideas.”

“A plant sale?” Mabel offered.

I looked around, and no one—including myself—seemed particularly enthusiastic about it, but it was a start.

“No bad ideas.” MJ smiled. “Write it down, Lark.”

Lark nodded and started writing.

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