Page 139 of February

“Not set up. But if they hit it off, so be it. Right?”

“I’ll tell Mel we’re in. You can message Sophie, if you want, but no guarantees about Jill.”

“Maybe they’ll just be friends. Maybe they’ll hate each other. Who knows?” Monica pulled out her phone. “I think I just likethe idea of having a friend here whom I can… contribute to the friend group I’m about to join.”

“I like that.”

“Sophie being part of the group?”

“No,youbeing part of the group.” Bridgette leaned over and placed a kiss on Monica’s cheek.

CHAPTER 34

“Hey,” Melinda greeted them when they arrived.

“Hi,” Monica replied.

“Can I borrow Bridge for a minute? Ky and Jill are sitting in a booth over there,” Melinda said as she pointed to a booth, where Monica saw Jill and Kyle sitting with drinks.

“It’s okay,” Bridgette told her and kissed her cheek.

“I’ll be over at the table. Want me to order you a drink?”

“Yeah, whatever you’re getting.”

“Gin and tonic?” Monica checked to be sure.

“Never mind. Get me a beer. Have Jill tell you which one.” Bridgette winked at her.

Monica smiled at her and made her way over to the booth, where she said hello and sat down next to Jill.

“So, I’m supposed to ask you what beer to order for Bridgette.”

“Me? I don’t know what she drinks. Maybe just what I’m having.” Jill shrugged.

“She probably thinks you’d know the local beers better than me. I’m guessing she drinks local.”

“She does,” Kyle replied. “It just kind of happens when you move here. I love the local stuff now.”

“Canyoutell me what to order for my girlfriend, then?”

“Girlfriend?” Jill asked. “Really?”

“Oh. She hasn’t told you yet?”

“No, but I also haven’t talked to her much recently. Must be all that time she’s been spending with hergirlfriend,” Jill said in a mocking tone.

“That’s great,” Kyle added. “Bridgette’s awesome.”

“She is, yes,” Monica replied with a smile as the waiter arrived. “Can I get a gin and tonic and whatever she’s drinking?” She pointed to Kyle.

“Sure,” he said, placing beverage napkins on the table for her.

“We like coming here because it’s one of the few places there’s table service,” Jill remarked. “And it’s less noisy than most of the other bars in the Quarter.”

“It’s nice. I’ve been here before.” Monica nodded toward the pianos. “I can’t wait till they get going.”

“We rarely come here to watch the pianists,” Jill said. “But the drinks are good and not that expensive, and we can usually find a booth.”

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