Page 77 of Love Among Vines

“He’s insisting on taking me on a real date first.”

“The fucking nerve of that guy,” Gemma said.

“I know. So what about you guys? Boyfriends? Girlfriends? Life partners with surprisingly realistic robots?”

“Tragically single,” Elena said with one end of the cinnamon stick in her mouth. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the dating pool around here isn’t huge.”

“Yeah. Same here,” Gemma said. “Even Cindy had to import hers. Besides, I work too much to make a relationship work.”

Jade nodded. “Rett did mention the dating pool was an issue. You’ve never thought about leaving?”

“Nah. I landed here after law school and never looked back. It’s small, but it’s home,” Gemma said.

“My family lives here,” Elena explained. “I take care of my abuela most weekends.”

“I can see why you stay,” Jade said.

Cindy locked eyes with her. “But you live in the city?”

“Yeah. For now. In addition to having terrible taste in men, I have also somehow completely mismanaged my life savings and am now in danger of becoming homeless in the next few months.”

Elena’s mouth formed an O.

“Why don’t you just move here?” Gemma asked. “I’m sure Rett would let you move in. His house is so big that he probably wouldn’t even notice you were there.”

“We haven’t even known each other for a full week,” Jade said. “For all I know, he could be a serial killer.”

Cindy shook her head. “I’ve known him forever. He doesn’t have the stomach for it.”

“Still,” Gemma said, “rent has to be cheaper here than in the city.”

“Sure,” Jade said, “but how’s the job market here? If I never get my ability to paint back, I’m going to have to pivot and learn a new skill set. I don’t have the temperament for customer service, nor the long-term memory required to be a waitress. And then what happens if this friends-with-benefits situation implodes and then I have to dodge him around town for a year?”

“You make some valid points.” Gemma pressed her fingertips together. “But if you moved here, you would never be alone. You would have us. Regardless of your involvement with Rett.”

Jane’s bottom lip quivered. The apple cider margaritas had made her a tad emotional.

“Agreed.” Cindy reached across the table and grabbed her hand. Gemma and Elena reached over too.

“Hey.” Gemma shot up like she had just had a brilliant idea. “Are you still doing the thing you talked about? Trying to knock the artist block out of yourself with experiences?”

Jade nodded. “When I can afford to.”

Gemma jumped to her feet. “Let those dogs go pee. We’re on a mission.”

Cindy groaned. “Why do I feel like this is going to end poorly? Also, none of us can drive.”

“We don’t need to drive. But we do need inflatables.”

Elena narrowed her eyes. “Are you suggesting…?”

“Yes. It’s been years. We have a sacrosanct duty to introduce Jade to the semi-annual ABB challenge.”

“We usually do it in July. It’s October.”

“All the more reason it’ll help. Come on. I think I still have some in my car.”

“ABB?” Jade whispered to Cindy.

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