Page 25 of Hard Hat Hottie

“8:00, bitches. Not a minute later!” Shay shouts from where she’s parked.

“All right, all right. It’s not like it’s your birthday or anything. Tomorrow night at 8:00,” I confirm.

Shay closes the door and starts her vehicle as Sadie makes her way to her Jeep Cherokee. “Hey, do you want me to come pick you up tomorrow?”

“You don’t mind driving?”

“Nah, I have a stretch off after my shift ends. You’re headed to boot camp,” she says.

I laugh. “It’s not boot camp, you goof.” My monthly drill weekends are pretty easy. Boot camp, not so much. The worst part about my National Guard weekends is honestly being away from the boys. “I’ll drop the boys off at my mom’s place before dinner and come back to the house to get ready. You want to change at my place after work?”

“Perfect. I’ll see you then.”

“Holy shit, Har. You look smokin’ hot.” Sadie places the tip of her index finger on my backside and makes a sizzling sound.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“I wish I had your curves,” she groans. “I look like a twelve-year-old boy.”

“You do not!” I bark. Sadie reminds me of Emma Watson.The Perks of Being a Wallflowerversion of Emma Watson. There’s a captivating beauty about my sweet and sassy friend that’s much larger than her five-foot-one frame can contain. I’m easily seven inches taller with fuller hips and cleavage, but Ioften forget about the stark contrast in our physical appearance when we’re together since our personalities are so similar.

Sadie hasn’t had an easy time with relationships either, but at least she’s guarded her heart more than I have in the past. She’s focused on creating a life for herself she can be proud of and won’t settle for a man that doesn’t respect her. She’s a few years younger than I am, so in no hurry to settle down. From what I’ve seen of Aaron, I think they’re a good match. He’s equally career driven. I think they’ll work all of this out. At least I hope so.

I watch as she slides four-inch heels onto her slim feet, which temporarily wedges the gap between us until I dangle the strappy numbers in front of her I plan to wear.

“Ah, man. I was almost there.” She laughs.

I bring my thumb and forefinger together, indicating her height was a little closer to mine for a few minutes.

“What did you get Shay for her birthday?” Sadie asks as she slides a dangly silver earring into her left lobe.

I giggle and walk over to my dressing table. “I couldn’t resist.” I pull the Funko Pop Yourself figurine I had designed on-line for her. It is Shay’s likeness in a nurse’s white dress uniform and matching hat with a bright red cape one would see a superhero wear.

“Oh, Harlow. It’s the cutest thing ever.”

I beam. I love how it turned out. I respect Shay so much. She’s the sharpest nurse I know. Sadie is great too, but we’d both admit we can’t roll with the punches like Shay can.

“What about you?”

“Ha, I got her practical gifts.”

My brows raise. That’s not like her at all.

She turns to grab the gift bag and retrieves a purple vibrator, a bottle of lube, and a T-shirt that says: Fun Fact, I Don’t Care.

I bust out laughing. “Nailed it.”

An hour later, we walk into The Wild Shrimp to find Shay flirting it up with Big Ron at the bar. He’s one of several long-time bartenders here. I secretly think he’s always had a thing for Shay.

“You made it,” she squeals, quickly looking down at her phone.

“7:58,” Sadie confirms.

“Do you want to move to the booth?” Big Ron asks, pointing his chin in the direction of a prime spot next to the makeshift dance floor with a reserved sign sitting atop it.

“Oh, that’s perfect, Ronnie.” Shay takes his arm, herI’m the Birthday girlsash sliding off of her shoulder as he escorts her to the space he’s apparently saved for her.

Ron deposits her and extends an arm for us to slide in as well. “First drinks are on me. What’re you girls having?”

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