Page 31 of Beautiful Dreamer

“Unlike you.”

She passed her a wide-eyed, can-you-believe-it look. “I know. I’mtrying something new.”

“I’m impressed. Vodka or gin?”

Oh, this was getting harder. “Whatever the house recommends.”

“We do a pretty good vodka martini. What brand would you prefer?”

She knew so little. “Um…I’ll take the one with the bird on theside.”

Irene nodded, apparently impressed with her choice. This was goingwell. The martini and three sophisticated olives arrived a few minutes laterand she took a preliminary sip to get the swing of things. Whoa. Okay. Thatwas…not beer. Or even wine, beer’s much more boring cousin. Hell, it wasn’teven like the basic whiskey she kept in her truck for special occasions, likeScout’s adoption. After a second sip, she sank back in defeat at her failedattempt to bond with this awful-tasting cocktail. At least it came with asnack. The only problem was if she ate those olives now, her drink would lookwoefully naked and much less like the drink of Ms. Elizabeth Bond when Thaliaarrived. She took another sip and resisted the urge to slither under the tablein disdain. Instead, she let her gaze drift to the bar. She could people-watchuntil Thalia arrived, which definitely wouldn’t be long now. At this point, shewas already eight minutes late. Across the room, Cricket was saying somethinganimatedly to the other members of the cheerleaders—yes, she apparently didstill think of them as cheerleaders and probably always would. Coco whooped inresponse and Heather, the meanest of them all, shook her head and smiledblandly. Devyn stared into her drink, which was a lot more hard-core thanElizabeth’s even. Some kind of scotch, maybe? It was nice seeing her out andtaking a moment for herself. She’d been so present for Jill since their talk,and it showed in Jill’s demeanor. Devyn deserved a moment away…even if thosewere, sadly, the friends she chose to spend it with.

Another ten minutes went by.

Then another.

Elizabeth tried to stop watching the door. Maybe she should justgo. Call it a night. Something had obviously come up in Thalia’s world, andthat was fine. She was feeling a little tired anyway. But then just asElizabeth stood next to her booth poised to drop some cash and leave, there shewas. Thalia Perkins, who she often called by her first and last name in herhead. Jet black hair swept to one side, and a look on her face that said shewas happy to be there. It felt a little bit like the world shifted in slowmotion. Elizabeth grinned and waved.

But wait, Thalia wasn’t alone. There was a woman with her, aredhead with a lot of eyeliner, whispering in her ear, and man with severaltattoos and a nose piercing standing next to her. They weren’t locals.

Elizabeth waved again, less enthusiastically this time. Okay, sotonight would not include one-on-one time after all. But that was okay. Theycould do that another time, right?

Thalia spotted her and headed over to the table. “Hey, there,” shesaid, sliding into the booth. She pursed her heavily glossed lips. She had goodones.

“Hi,” Elizabeth said, with maybe too much enthusiasm. She should workon that. Ms. Bond should play it more cool and aloof. She forced herself torelax back against the cushion of the booth. That should help. She watched asthe two new individuals took their spots. The guy next to Elizabeth, and theredhead next to Thalia. Too close to Thalia, if you asked her.

“I brought Skeet and Mode with me.”

She blinked. “Skeet and Mode?”

The redhead raised her hand. “Mode. Nice to meet you. Skeet and I,we go way back with this one.” She hooked a thumb at Thalia.

Thalia nodded and glanced around the room as if taking stock.“Massage school,” she said, settling back on Elizabeth, then seemed to noticeher for the first time. “I like this top. It’s adorable in its childlikeinnocence.”

“It does remind me of yesteryear,” Mode said sagely. “I love youryouthful spirit.”

“Mine? Oh, thank you.” Elizabeth smiled, not quite sure where thatcomment came from. “As for the shirt, my friend KC and I found it at—”

“They have a staff here or what?” Skeet asked with disdain,dropping his hand palm first onto the table with a thud.

“Would you chill out and find your Zen?” Thalia asked, shaking herhead in annoyance. “I’m talking to my friend, Elizabeth.”

“Sheiscute and sweet,” Mode said. “You were right.”

Elizabeth wasn’t sure whether to be flattered or unnerved thatthey were talking about her like she wasn’t present. She focused on thepositive. “Well, that’s very nice of you to say. Thank you.” She turned toSkeet. “Irene is our server. She’ll be back in just a moment. She’s droppingoff food right over there.” She sipped the martini. Nope. Still awful. “How wasbusiness today?” she asked Thalia.

“Three therapeutic massages, and two facials.” Thalia pursed herpouty lips and studied the room again. “Not bad for small-town USA.”

“I can’t believe you wound up in a place like this,” Mode said. “Ialways imagined you’d open up a shop in Austin or San Fran.”

“There’s something very chill about the Bay,” Thalia said. “I digits vibe.”

Elizabeth smiled. “There really is something special here.”

Mode nodded. Skeet glared.

“Okay…well. We should really get going.” Thalia stood and passedElizabeth her killer smile, the one that often left her in a puddle. Nottonight.

---