Page 28 of Emerald Moon
The good feelings continued well into the evening when the four of them found themselves at Jo and Krista’s favorite bar, Snake and Ivy, a hole in the wall that looked more like a taxidermy shop and an apothecary than a bar.
It was run by Jamie, one of Jo’s favorite people in town because she acted like everyone annoyed her, but she was deeply sweet and thoughtful.She also made incredible drinks, including special stronger cocktails for the werewolf patrons.The bar didn’t have a menu.Patrons told Jamie what mood they were in and she made them what she thought they needed.
For Jo, Jaime always got it just right.That night, they were sipping on a summery gin drink that was supposed to have grapefruit, but since it interacted with their medication, Jaime had made it with a yuzu syrup she’d made herself.Jo thought it was about a hundred times tastier than grapefruit would have been anyway.
”So how’s that ‘and they were roommates’ fic I recommended treating you?”Krista leaned in towards Jo.
“God, what a good trope.I like it just fine when they’re butting heads as roommates and still fall in love, but there’s something so sugary sweet about friends to lovers roommates where neither of them realize they’re dating until they’re already deep in it.”
“Right?And the wedding guest chapter!”
”I was kicking my feet and biting my fist, I swear.I was basically screaming for them to just hold hands already.”
”So spicy.Hand holding.”Krista laughed.
”Look, sex in fiction is great and all, but sometimes I just need those longing glances or the brush of some fingertips.That’s the good stuff.”
”But then they gotta —“ Krista made an awkward gesture with her hands.
Jo grabbed her hands and shoved them into her lap while Krista laughed.“I mean, yeah, obviously that’s great, too.”
”What was with that gesture?”Wil asked, raising an eyebrow.
Krista and Jo burst with more laughter.
“Look, my asexual ass doesn’t know what I’m doing when it comes to sexy stuff,” Krista said.
Wil raised her glass.“I’ll drink to that.”
”You’ve already been drinking,” Jo pointed out.
”I’ll drink more to that, then.”Wil tilted her drink in Krista’s direction.
”Oh!Another ace buddy!I knew I liked you.”Krista bounced in her seat.“You and my little demi friend over here.”She bumped her shoulder into Jo.
”Demi in a deep dry spell.”
”You’ll find someone you’ll connect with,” Krista said.“Just like Cass will soon, too!”
”I enjoy sex.”Cass took a sip of her drink.“I’m very good at it.”
”Cass!”Krista hissed, scandalized.“That’s the most I’ve ever heard you say on the topic during our whole friendship and it’s so, so, I don’t know, confident.”
Cass shrugged.“Just stating facts.”
”You’re so damn cool sometimes,” Krista said.
”I’m not trying to be.”
”And that’s what makes you so cool!”Krista’s drink sloshed as she gestured with her hands.“I could never be cool.I have no chill.”
”Me neither,” Jo agreed.“Too much —“ They wiggled their hands around wildly.“Of all this to have any chill.Not like Wil.Wil’s cool, too.You got the whole artist thing going on.Effortlessly cool.”
Wil chuckled.“Art takes effort.”
”Yeah, but not the being chill about it part.That’s all you.Save some confidence for the rest of us, will you?”
Wil sipped her drink and smiled.“I’ll be sure to pass some around once we’ve had another round.Bottoms up!I’m going up to the bar for more.Who wants in?”
