Page 62 of One Sweet Day I Found You

“I need a shot of tequila.” Kira looked around. Kira was good at ignoring and disguising emotions, and drowning them when the situation called for it. “Who else wants a shot?”

Gia, a blonde bombshell with a genuine-looking smile, raised a hand. “I’ll do one. Can’t let a girl drink alone.”

Kira patted her on the shoulder. “Good woman, Gia. You were always my favorite.”

Gia laughed. Kira got up and headed for the bar. “I’ll be right back.”

Gia turned to Courtney and kept the conversation going among them. “I’m new in town, too—just got here in April. How are you liking it so far?”

The waiter arrived with Courtney’s beer and dropped off margaritas, wine, and a couple of beers for the other girls.

“I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one. I’ve been here almost a month.” Courtney gave them a very short history on how she’d ended up in Door County and they all listened with interest.

After a few questions about her trip, Courtney brought the conversation back to common ground. “So, is this place always so busy, especially on a weeknight?”

Marcy, the petite redhead sitting next to Courtney, answered. “During the height of the summer, yeah. It’s full of tourists on the weekends, but this early in the week, it’s a mix of the out-of-towners and us locals.” She looked around. “Come to think of it, I don’t recognize a lot of people here tonight. Must be more tourists in town than I thought.”

Courtney and some of the others nodded. “So, what do you guys do?”

Marcy spoke for them, gesturing to the girls. “Angela, here, is a bartender at The Hideout.” Angela waved from across the table and flipped back her long, almost jet-black hair. “She just finished her business degree at UW Madison.”

That’s where Nick had taken Courtney for their first date. “I’ve been to The Hideout. Great place.”

“Yeah, it’s fun!” Angela said. “I’m sending out resumes and paying off student loans in the meantime. Bartending pays the bills.”

“And I’m a waitress at the steakhouse down the street,” Marcy said, smoothing her strawberry blonde ponytail. “I just finished my master’s in education. I’ll be subbing in Milwaukee in the fall until a full-time position comes along.”

“Oh, really?” Courtney said. “That’s great.”

“Thanks.” Marcy shot her a friendly glance.

“And I know all about waiting tables. I’ve waited my fair share of them—and poured lots of coffees.”

Marcy and Angela shared a knowing look.

“And Gia works for an event-planning company out of Anderson Cove.”

Gia waved a hand. “It’ll slow down a little in the fall, but we’re super busy this summer. It’s fun, but it’s stressful.”

“I bet it is. I’ve been to Anderson Cove a few times now. Nice town!” Courtney took another sip of her ice-cold beer and thought about her date with Nick to the resort there. She shook off her irritation that he hadn’t been in touch at all today. “It’s great to meet you all. Cheers to my first girls’ night out in Heritage Bay!”

The girls clinked their glasses and drank. Courtney was having fun. Things were going well.

Marcy made a joke and gestured to Angela about a couple of cute guys at the bar. One of them stared back at Marcy, who tilted her head to one side suggestively and made eyes at him.

“You should go for it.” Angela pushed at Marcy’s shoulder. “Go over there. Now.”

“No way!” Marcy turned to make a face at Angela. Then she grinned. “He sure is hot, though.” Marcy laughed and crossed one leg over the other, revealing some skin and making an exaggerated sexy face at her friends. “The night is young. We shall see.”

Angela and the others laughed and everyone went back to their individual conversations.

Gia turned to Courtney and rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry. You’ll get used to them.”

Courtney sipped her beer. “Oh, it’s totally cool.” She waved it off and laughed. Bunch of characters, this group. She liked them.

The night went on in the same manner. Jokes, laughter, friendly gossip and chitchat. Two-and-a-half hours later, Courtney leaned over to Gia. “Hey, where’s the restroom?”

“Right back there.” Gia pointed.

---