Page 31 of Spindrift

“Thankyou.” Lillian straddled a bar stool and clasped her hands around the bottle.Her damp hair clung to her neck. “What a shit week.”

“Work?”said Stevie.

“Yeah.And Brian.”

“Whatdid Boring Brian do?” Stevie pulled a stack of paper plates down from acupboard as she spoke.

“He’snot coming for the summer anymore. School stuff.”

“Whotakes classes during the summer?”

“No,he’s ABD, but—”

“AllBut Dead?” Stevie never missed an opportunity to remind Lillian she found herboyfriend dull.

“Allbut dissertation, dumbass. Apparently he needs to do more fieldwork for saiddissertation, so there go the plans we’ve been talking aboutall year.”

Morganbit back a snarky comment. She didn’t mind Brian. He was nice, and even thoughshe didn’t fully understand the obscure branch of geology that took up so muchof his time, she did understand the singlemindedness that graduate workrequired. She did not, however, like seeing Lillian upset.

“Can’the do the research here?” she asked.

“Apparentlynot. He’s going back to Brazil.”

Morganheard the repressed pain in her voice. “I’m sorry, Lil.”

“It’sfine. The house is full anyway.”

“Thisis why I keep telling you to find a man muffin here,” said Stevie.

“Aman muffin?”

“Yeah.Big and muscly on top, maybe sprinkled with sugar, and the bottom is fun to unwrap.”

“Thankyou for that image,” said Lillian.

“Ishe at least coming to stay for a few days?” asked Morgan.

“Maybe.”

Thedefeat in Lillian’s slumped shoulders reminded Morgan of Kate. Guilt andheartache soured her mouth. “Are you guys okay?”

“No?Yes? I don’t know. Career first, right?”

Thathad been their motto in vet school when it came to relationships. Morgan hopedit would work out better for Lillian than it had for her.

“Atleast you have Circe. She’ll be with you forever.”

“Thanks,Stevie. Everlasting love with my tortoise.”

Steviescooted onto the counter. “Maybe this house is cursed. Morgan’s single, I’msingle, you might as well be single, and Angie is at least getting laid, butshe doesn’t date.”

“Theghost of spinsters past.” Lillian perked up and looked at Morgan. “Wait, isn’tyour new friend coming over?”

“Shesaid she was.”

“Theone you rescued?”

“Yeah,maybe don’t mention that, though.”

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