Page 45 of Just This Once

“It’s a flamboyance.” All eyes turned to Whip, who took a sip of his caramel-colored beer. He shrugged off the attention. “What?”

“You’re sure?” I pressed, leaning forward across the table.

He set the glass down and twirled a finger in the air. “The songs. They’re clues. If you listen to the lyrics, this one keeps saying something about being flamboyant.”

We paused just long enough to hear the singer warbleyou’re so flamboyantin the chorus.

Skepticism laced with angered disbelief in my voice. “The songs have been clues the entire time?!”

“Twenty seconds, ticktock!” The DJ clucked his tongue like a ticking clock.

“Who cares? Just write it down!” Brooklyn urged with a laugh as Rachel furiously wrote down our answer. MJ sprinted toward the DJ table, making it with a mere second left.

Sure as shit, Whip was right. A group of flamingos was, in fact, called a flamboyance. Which, when you really think about it, makes a lot of sense given their stylish pink feathers and statuesque, bendy legs.

After a few more rounds using Whip’s correct assumption that the songs were subtle clues, our team—Four Gals and a Random Dude—eked out a respectable second-place finish.

To my surprise and delight, the Forrest Grumps not only donated their $100 first-place winnings, but matched it with an additional donation as well. Then Abel refused my offer to help clean up, assuring me that he needed the setup, given the influx of customers who were staying after trivia ended.

Rachel and Brooklyn’s first date didn’t seem to be ending anytime soon, and I had zero interest in being a third wheel, so I finished my drink and slid from the high stool. Whip had wandered off to mingle, and I forced myself to not track his movements.

I didn’t care what he chose to do with his time. Not one bit.

With an exaggerated yawn, MJ stretched her arms above her head. “I’m hosed. Time to call it a night.”

“Already?” Rachel asked.

MJ smiled. “Early shift tomorrow, but I’ll text soon.”

She slipped her purse over her head.

“I’m heading out too,” I said, then waved goodbye to Rachel and Brooklyn. “Night, guys.”

“Good night!” Rachel singsonged. She smiled, and as Brooklyn turned to face the bar, she let out a silent squeal and anOh my god!

I held my hand to my head like a telephone and mouthed,Call me!

Together MJ and I walked into the darkened parking lot. Overhead lights illuminated the space, and the lulling crash of waves could be heard behind the building. Inky indigo clouds loomed above the water.

MJ wrapped me in an unexpected hug. “It was a great night.”

Surprised, I laughed and hugged her back. “Thanks for your help.”

“Anytime.” She beamed at me as the first fat raindrops started to fall. “We should do this again sometime.”

I smiled back, shielding my head with my hands. “I agree.”

I quickly dug my keys out from my purse as I hustled to my car, hoping to dodge the bulk of the rain. Up to that point, the weather had held off, but it looked as though the storm was coming in strong.

My car beeped when I unlocked it, and I sat in the driver’s side with a huff, shaking the droplets from my cardigan. I sighed into my seat.

It really was a good night.

When I went to start my car, nothing happened. I sat straighter. “What?” I leaned over to check and be sure nothing looked wrong, but when I pressed the ignition again, nothing happened. I stomped my foot on the brake and tried again. And again.

Still nothing. Just when things were looking up, the universe dragged me back to reality.

Defeated, I slumped my head back in my seat and let out an aggravated growl. A loud rap on my window had me clutching my chest and screaming.

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