Page 48 of Rush

“Emerson and I were just talking and decided it’s been way too long since we’ve had a girls’ night. Are you in?”

“Sure. What did you have in mind?” She’d have to veto another night of drinking and dancing. Linc would not like that.

“We thought we’d see that new Matt Damon movie. Don’t tell Oz, but Emerson’s got a thing for him.”

Nora chuckled. “My lips are sealed. And that sounds like fun. Count me in.”

“We’ll pick you up at five.”

“Okay, see you then.”

She hung up and texted Linc to tell him her plans and got a thumbs up emoji in response.

Setting her phone on the coffee table, she turned to Sophie who sat, coloring on the couch. “Well, munchkin, what shall we do today?”

***

Nora stepped out into the fading light of early evening, soaking up the residual heat of the day. After spending almost two hours in the air-conditioned movie theater, she was chilled to the bone. Why did they keep those suckers so cold?

“That was such a good movie and Matt Damon totally kicked bad-guy ass. I was hot.” That, of course, was Emerson’s remark as they stood on the sidewalk outside the theater.

“I’ll admit,” Nora replied, “He wasn’t on my radar before this movie, but I have a small crush now too.”

“Hey, back off. He’s all mine.”

Everyone laughed, including Ivy who then looked down at her phone. “It’s only eight. Shall we grab a bite to eat?”

“I could do with something that has more substance than popcorn,” Emerson said, on board with the plan. “Can we stop by the pub first though? There’s something I forgot to grab this afternoon before I left.”

“We can do that.” Ivy turned to her. “Nora?”

Nora thought about the peanut M&M’s she’d consumed. While they did have protein, dinner they did not make. “I’m game.”

They all piled into Ivy’s sporty SUV.

“What do you guys feel like eating?”

“Mexican?” Emerson suggested.

Yum, her favorite. “I second that,” Nora piped from the back seat.

“We can try that new place on Alder,” Ivy suggested.

That decided, Ivy hit the road and it wasn’t long until they were pulling into the parking lot for The Parting Glass.

“Do you guys want to come in?” Emerson asked, putting away her phone after texting someone.

“Sure.” Ivy turned off the ignition and unclipped her seatbelt.

They both opened their doors and got out.

“You coming, Nora?” Emerson asked, poking her head back in the door before closing it.

“I think I’ll just wait here.” If she had the choice to be lazy, she’d take it every time.

“Oh, come on,” Ivy coaxed. “You don’t want to wait out here all by yourself.”

She really didn’t mind but giving into peer pressure, she undid her seatbelt and got out of the car.

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