Page 61 of One Sweet Day I Found You

Sixteen

Kira sauntered across the bar, decked out in form-fitting capris, an off-the-shoulder crop top that showed off the insane core workout she swore by, and a sassy pair of red heels. “Hey girl. What’s up?”

“Hey!” Courtney reached out for an obligatory hug.

“You look great!” Kira said.

Courtney’s strappy tank and a favorite short skirt revealed a little color on her skin. “So do you!”

“Thanks! So glad you made it. Come on over and meet the ladies.” Kira turned and headed through the smartly-dressed crowd. Courtney followed, grateful that she’d also thrown on a pair of heels.

The Anchor Bar & Grill was a popular spot for locals and out-of-towners alike. It had an air of sophistication without the pretentiousness. The vibe was youthful even with its cozy maritime memorabilia. With only a small dining room, it was more bar than eatery.

Courtney wound through groups of people behind Kira. She still hadn’t heard from Nick and assumed something had come up that couldn’t be helped. She knew he volunteered as an EMT and could be called out last minute. What she couldn’t get past was why he hadn’t bothered to let her know if he had.

Whatever. She wasn’t going to get upset over it. And a girls’ night out would do her some good.

“Thanks for inviting me! I’ve only been to a few places in town.”

Kira spoke over her shoulder. “First time here, then?”

“Yeah.”

“Let’s fit you with a drink, then, right away. Time’s a wastin’.” They reached a group of tables that had been pulled together. Courtney did a quick count. Seven young women, all looking to be in their late twenties, sat around the group of tables, laughing and talking. Kira stopped in front and motioned, announcing above the hum of the bar. “Courtney, this is everyone. Everyone, this is Courtney Price. New girl on the block.”

The women looked up from their drinks and conversations and waved. Courtney returned the friendly wave. “Hey.”

A redhead pulled an empty chair from a nearby table and patted at the cushion on the seat. “Here you go.”

Courtney took the offer and settled in. “Thanks!”

Kira took the seat across from Courtney and waved the waiter to the table.

“Do you have an IPA?” Courtney asked. He named a couple on draft and Courtney ordered one.

The bar was lively and seemed like a popular place to be, even on a Tuesday night. For a second, she felt a pang of sadness for the Australian friends she’d probably never see again. She’d spent many happy nights chatting overgrogat the local pubs like this.

But Courtney was thrilled to be out. All at once she realized she’d been spending far too much time alone lately. The curse of a writer—a solitary indulgence.

She smiled at her own cleverness.You dork.Just another reason she needed a night out—she was talking to herself now.

The girls at the other end of the table had returned to their conversations, and Kira started up a discussion at their end. “Courtney is Sam’s replacement on the blog.” She took a swig of her greyhound.

Angela raised an eyebrow. “And?”

“And she’s doing a bang-up job.”

Courtney batted her eyelashes. “Well, thank you, Miss Nash.”

“Not that anyone could truly replace Sammy, of course.” Kira grinned sadly. “But gosh, Sam,” Kira said, her voice loud and brazen, “it’s time for mama to move on!”

The girls sitting close enough to hear roared with laughter.

“Good for you, Kir.” Angela, always boisterous but well meaning, raised a glass and made a toast. “To moving on!”

“To moving on,” said Kira, taking another swig. “But, anyway, Courtney’s doing a great job. I can’t wait to tell Sam how Beecham doesn’t even miss him anymore.”

Kira laughed and Courtney raised an eyebrow, playing along.

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