Page 37 of Bourbon and Proof

Reaching over, Laney plucks a small handful of sour gummy worms from a candy dish and says, “I just felt like we could extend use of these if we added heaters, and the sound system outside was an easy upgrade.”

“I will never complain about your taste, Laney Foxx. It’s impeccable,” Faye says with a content sigh as she types something on her phone.

When my phone buzzes for the fifth or sixth time, I reach over and see the wall of texts from Faye.

FAYE

Are you seeing what I’m seeing?

Oh my gosh, pick up your phone

I’m going to keep texting until the buzzing actually makes you look.

HADLEY!!!

Please tell me I’m not the only one noticing that Laney is ignoring her afternoon cocktail...

My eyes go wide as soon as I read the last text. “LANEY!” I shout and turn to her, splashing water all over the place.

Faye gives me a knowing glare, but I ignore it. I’ve never been one for subtleties.

She closes one eye and looks at me. “You noticed.”

“Actually, Faye noticed. You’re not drinking.”

Faye laughs as she sips her light pink drink that I whipped up for our impromptu afternoon dip. “I was also the one who didn’t shout it out.”

I splash water at her while splashing Laney again in the process.

“I’m just taking a little hiatus. I’m not pregnant...yet,” she says with a smile.

“But you want to be?”

She lifts her shoulder in a small shrug. “I haven’t wanted anything more lately. We practice.” That has her smiling wide.“I mean, look at the man I married. And we both want to start a little family. So, we’re being horny and careless.” Popping another gummy worm in her mouth, she adds, “And I keep track of when I’m ovulating...so...”

I hop up and out of my trough and into hers, giving her the biggest squeeze the tight space will allow.

She laughs, her eyes watering as she pulls back. “I just don’t want to be excited about something that might not happen, you know?”

I know what she means. I’ve been schooling my own excitement for things, like a happily ever after, for a long time. It always seemed safer to harden my edges a bit than to get lost in the idea of something. I think that’s what made us so close so quickly. She isn’t a starry-eyed idiot. I like the realist attitudes of both of these women. They went ahead and fell in love, but they did it with both eyes open and fearlessly. I might be older than them, but I’m in awe of them. And their strength.

My phone continues to buzz from where I dropped it before practically tackling my friend. I spare a glance at Faye to see if it’s her again, but the only thing she’s holding is her cocktail in one hand and a slice of pizza in the other. But when I pick up my phone this time, the name waiting for me makes my stomach swoop and chest feel lighter.

DADDY FOXX

Come to the house.

HADLEY

I’m busy right now.

DADDY FOXX

Come. To. The. House.

Has he actually lost it? He’s known me long enough by now to realize that text is going to get him nowhere.

HADLEY

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