Page 5 of You Can Leave Your Hat On

“It’s been a long, long time for me,” Maisey threw in. “I never liked them.”

“Yeah, but we’re here, no husbands, no kids, just relaxing and taking it easy. Okay, I’ve got my bag. You guys got yours?” Maisey and Cherilyn nodded. “Then here we go.” Carly held out the little box, and the other two women drew numbers out. “Oh, shit. I got my own. Put them back in,” Carly said, then shook the box. “Okay. Try again.” Maisey and Cherilyn pulled a scrap of paper apiece from the box, and Carly took the last one. “Not this time. Anybody else got their own?”

“Nope,” Cherilyn answered.

“Good. Who’s got one?” Carly asked.

Maisey held up her hand. “I do.”

“Here’s yours.” Carly handed her a bag with sparkles all over it.

“Then you must have two,” Cherilyn said and handed Carly the bag she’d brought in.

“And you’re three,” Maisey said and handed Cherilyn the bag she’d toted in with her.

Carly grinned. “Dig in, everybody!” They’d had a dollar value, and all three of them knew they’d gone way over it, but nobody cared. “Oh my god! Look at this!” From deep in the bag Carly took out a cut crystal jar of bath salts and a candle in the same kind of container. “Night blooming jasmine! Ooooo! Wait,there’s something else…” She pulled out a flat cellophane-wrapped card. “A mask! Avocado and lemon! It’ll feel soooo good! Whatcha got in yours, Maise?”

Maisey dug around in the tissue paper and pulled out a bottle. “Oh! Champagne bubble bath!” There was a small, flat box covered in gold foil next. “What is… Oh, god, truffles! I love truffles! And I never buy them for myself. And there’s a tiny little bottle of Prosecco! I’m gonna feel like a queen!” Maisey cooed. “Open yours, Cher!”

Maisey watched as Cherilyn prowled around in her bag. “Oh my god. Skin Drenchers! I’ve heard of this stuff!”

“Yeah, you rub it all over you and then get into a hot tub. It feels so good when you get out,” Maisey said. “I do it once a week and it’s fabulous. And I love the pomegranate scent.”

“And what else is… Masks for my face, hands, and feet! Cucumber and mint! And what is this… Oh my god, a satin kimono!”

“It’s just a generic one-size-fits-all, but I thought it would be fun and luxurious,” Maisey explained. She always thought she gave the worst gifts on the planet.

“Oh, god, I’m going to feel like a princess. Thank you, Maise!”

“You’re welcome. Yeah, thank you, Carly,” Maisey said.

“You’re welcome. And thank you, Cherilyn,” Carly said with a smile.

“You’re very welcome. Thank you both for including me in everything. I never really had girlfriends before. This is fun!”

“We’re the Three Amigas from now on, sisters,” Carly said and patted their hands.

Maisey frowned. “Don’t you wish your sister was here?”

“Yeah, but she’s not. She’s still got Mom and her friends back there. I was pretty much alone here until you guys came along, except for Ross’s mom and some of his cousins. And some of the deputies. But I think their wives would’ve had a problem withthem having a girls’ night out with me.” Carly smiled. “I love you both and I love spending time with you.”

“Same for me,” Cherilyn added.

Maisey nodded. “Me too. And now, I’m going to finish my drink, go soak in my champagne bubble bath, drink my Prosecco, and eat my truffles.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Cherilyn said and lifted her glass. “To the Three Amigas. May we never get into more trouble than we can get out of.”

The three ladies clinked their glasses, downed their liquor, and headed to their rooms. They’d originally discussed getting a suite, but they decided they wanted their own separate rooms. No husbands, no kids, and no sharing a room or a bed. It sounded like heaven.

Maisey soaked until her skin was shriveled and the water was getting cool, then got out, dried off, put on her pajamas, and threw out the empty truffle box and Prosecco bottle. She crawled into bed but once she was there, she picked up her phone and shot off a short message.

Having fun but I miss you. Love you.

She got one back almost immediately.

I miss you too. Love you, beautiful.

Maisey turned off the light by the bed and curled up under the covers. The next day would be so much fun.

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