Page 26 of Love Bitters

Another big gulp of her wine later, she huffs softly with a shake of her head. “I hope I don’t live to regret that decision.”

Agreeable silence sits between us for a few minutes before I do something I’ve never considered myself to be good at. Human contact and comforting someone. Reaching out to place my fingertips on the top of her wrist, I wait until her gaze lifts to mine before saying, “Looks like we’ve got a lot more in common than we originally thought after all. It sucks right now, but it’s not forever.”

I’m not sure if the words are meant for her or both of us since the guys’ faces stare accusingly back at me from the frames laid flat on the table. Either way, I know what I’m going to do before the words ever leave my lips. “You should join this book club I’m helping found. Our first meeting is tomorrow. And it’s...right up our alley.”

She winces a little. “Do you think that’s a good idea? Not to sound conceited or anything, but I’d really hate to take the focus. It’s happened so many times now that I don’t have any friends left because of it.”

“I’m one hundred percent sure,” I tell her honestly. Who knows how many people we’ve actually got showing up anyway? I don’t think any that do will make a big deal of a celebrity in their midst. At least, I hope they won’t since it makes Abilene so uncomfortable.

After explaining the purpose and what kind of books we’d be reading, I manage to get her to agree to come to the first meeting. She laughs for the first time since sitting down at the table and admits to having only gone against my wishes originally because she knew the book I’d dropped, saying she’d hoped it wouldn’t be weird to just randomly chat up some stranger about it. Which makes us both cackle again.

Over dinner, we chat more about our relationships and the book club until her bottle of wine is empty and my belly is so full of cheesecake slathered with peanut butter that I’m miserable. When we finally do say goodnight, I think we’re both walking a little lighter after having had someone to talk to.

The next day at work flies by since all Jolene and I can talk about is the meeting that’s happening afterward. As we clock out for the day, I swing by my apartment to pick up Abilene. I’d told her last night there wasn’t any reason for us to drive separately since we’re going to and back to the same places.

She hops into the car, seemingly leaking jubilance from her pores as she buckles up and says, “This is so exciting! A couple months ago, I never would’ve thought I’d be doing something like this.”

I guess there are some normal things that we all just take for granted. One of which becomes blatantly apparent the second Abilene and I step foot inside the little café where we’re meeting everyone. It seems as though every eye in the small building turns our way, and I immediately I see a few hands go over their mouths to whisper to their table partners.

Abilene puts her head down, obviously trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, but the damage has already been done. Now I kind of see what she was talking about with the attention thing. I don’t think it would ever be anything I could live with either. For a moment, even with fame and fortune, envy is the last thing on my mind.

Hopefully we can make it through this one meeting without things getting super awkward for her or any of us really. After this one, we’re going to be meeting at Jolene and Jade’s house. Considering the fact that we’re meeting an unknown number of strangers today, we figured it best to do so in a public setting. That way if someone shows up with bad vibes or a trash attitude, they won’t have the address.

Jolene sets her sight on us and waves madly from the corner she’s claimed. I have to admit, there couldn’t have been a more perfect spot for us. Three love seats are settled around a dark coffee table, forcing their occupants to face each other. There are tables on the other side of the shop, but this side was made for comfort which I fully intend to take advantage of.

Claiming the spot beside Jolene and murmuring a quick hello, I let my gaze wander over the women who showed up as Abilene takes the seat in the corner to my left.

“Sorry we’re late,” I say smiling. Noticing a face missing, I ask, “Where’s Jade?”

Jolene motions with her head toward the middle of the group, explaining, “I was just telling them about her. She had to stay after school with her friend today. She’s going to try to make it but said for us to go ahead and start without her.”

I give her a clipped nod as I introduce myself and Abilene to the rest of the ladies around us. Then one by one, they do the same.

The brown-haired petite woman on the other sofa to Jolene’s right has tight dark almond eyes and an absolutely beautiful complexion. She gives a small but enthusiastic wave, telling us her name is Penelope.

An older blonde woman is sharing that loveseat with her. She appears to have about ten years or so on Jolene and me, but she does a great job trying to hide it. If we weren’t sitting as close as we are, I doubt I’d notice the small amount of wrinkles adorning her face, giving away her secret. That’s the only thing on her that seems out of place, however. Her clothes scream money and look dry cleaner pressed. Her smile seems forced as she announces her name as Lucille, or Luci for short.

Directly across from her, sitting beside Abilene, is a brunette with a reddish tinge that has her arms folded across her chest aggressively. When our gazes turn to her, she rolls her eyes toward the ceiling as she huffs out, “My name is Blythe, and I’m going to be honest. I don’t want to be here. My therapist thinks it’s a good idea to have some kind of social life. This seems like the group less likely to make me want to go home and hang myself, so here I am. And I’m pretty sure I know you.”

The last is said as Blythe cuts her eyes to Abilene. Before the latter can speak, Blythe says, “Besides the obvious, of course. I think you sponsored one of my parents’ fundraiser things last year.”

“You’re the Clemontes’ daughter?” Abilene asks, surprised.

Blythe’s legs are crossed at the knees, the top foot starting to move up and down in a nervous manner as she lets out another huff. “The one and only.”

Abilene’s cheeks pull up with her smile. “Small world, eh?”

As Blythe agrees with a jerk of her chin, we all turn to the last person sitting on a chair pulled close to where Penelope and Luci sit. Since getting here, I’d only managed to get a bare glimpse of her face. Like she’s purposely keeping a close watch on the floor tiles. When her gaze comes up to ours, I realize why.

This girl, around my age with hair in the most vivid shade of strawberry blonde I’ve ever seen, is super pretty. I’m instantly envious of the spatter of freckles across both cheeks and her nose. But as I get my first good look at the left side of her face, my eyes drop to the table between us.

“I’m Maisie,” she says with some steel behind her meekness. “I know Jade through group therapy. She said I should come by today.”

“We’re glad you did,” Jolene starts.

Blythe instantly follows up with, “Okay, dude, what the hell happened to your face?”

Rules of etiquette have me wincing. I was brought up to avoid bringing attention to others’ misgivings or disabilities. It’s not something I totally agree with, but it’s been so ingrained in my brain that I clench my teeth to keep from demanding Blythe apologize.

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