Page 39 of Suck My Puck

Before she can say anything, a tall woman with long black hair and the most perfect tan comes up to her. “I changed my mind. I want tequila, too,” she says to the blonde. She looks at me. “Could I have a double shot of tequila?”

“Yeah, sure.” I pour her a double shot.

“You’re not going to mess with our drinks, are you?” the pretty brunette says, wincing.

I let out a shocked laugh. “Um, what?”

She hesitates. “Well, I mean, you’ve probably seen us here with Blomdahl a lot. And he told us how pissed you were when he woke you up with his music blaring.”

“Which you have every right to be,” the blonde quickly adds. “I’d be pissed if my neighbor woke me up with loud music.”

“Totally,” the brunette says. “We just mean that if he hasn’t apologized to you properly, we’ll get on his ass aboutit. Whatever it takes to stay on your good side because we love this bar.”

“Yeah, if we have to make him get on his knees and beg you for forgiveness, we totally will. Or I’ll make my fiance do it.”

The brunette nods along with what her blonde friend just said. “Oh, absolutely. I’ll make my husband do it too.”

I look between them, my head spinning as I process everything they’re saying.

“Wait, you’re married?” I say to the brunette. “And you’re engaged?” I say to the blonde.

They smile and nod.

“Our partners are Blomdahl’s teammates,” the blonde says.

“Oh…” I suddenly feel like a jerk for assuming they were with Braden.

I clear my throat and let out an embarrassed laugh. “I thought you two were, um, with Braden.”

They both burst out laughing.

“Oh my gosh, no,” the blonde says. “We’re just friends.”

The brunette smiles at me. “He’s actually single right now.”

A weird relief courses through me. I shouldn’t feel this way. Braden and I hooked up once. We’re not even a thing. He can be with whoever he wants.

But still. I can’t help the relief I feel… and how it slowly shifts to intrigue.

I push that feeling aside and refocus. “It’s okay, he apologized.”

They both beam and stick out their hands.

“I’m Maya, by the way,” the brunette says.

“And I’m Ingrid.”

I shake their hands. “I’m Bella. It’s nice to officiallymeet you both,” I say. “Oh hey, is your other friend coming too? The woman with really pretty strawberry blonde hair. She doesn’t drink alcohol, right? I can make her drink now, if you want.”

“That would be great,” Ingrid says.

I make the spritzer on the menu for their friend.

“So you and Blomdahl are all good now?” Maya asks.

A smile tugs at my mouth. “Um, yeah. We’re fine.”

“Come on now. We’re better than fine.”

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