Page 74 of Panty Dropper

With that command, she wrapped her fingers around my wrist and held on as she went back the way she’d come. I trailed behind her as she shoved people to clear a path. I kept my head down and tried not to make eye contact with anyone as she bulldozed her way through.

When we finally came to a stop, I lifted my head and saw that we were standing in front of a booth that read Moore Farms Moonshine. Nadia was handing over a twenty to the woman that Cheyenne had said was her preschool teacher, Mrs. Rhonda.

Nadia dropped my hand and made the peace sign. “Two sweet teas, please.”

Sweet teas. This must be what Billy had warned me about.

The woman gave Nadia some change before handing her two mason jars with floating lemon slices and a white and red swirled straw sticking out of each of them. Nadia was on the move again, then, and I trailed behind her like a gosling following her mama goose.

She led us to a bench with our backs toward the water, looking out on the dance floor in front of the stage where the band was playing. The noise level was still in the loud range, but in this spot we were able to hold a conversation without screaming.

“Here you go.” Nadia passed me one of the glasses. “Cheers, to your new life in Firefly!”

We clinked our beverages and before the straw touched my lips, my friend warned, “Be careful, it’s strong.”

I’ve heard. I took a sip, bracing myself for an intense alcohol taste. But I was surprised to find the drink light and refreshing. So I took another drink. It was then that I realized I’d been so busy today after Billy dropped me off at the boarding house that I hadn’t drunk or ate anything since Cheyenne’s treats that morning.

As if reading my mind, Nadia leaned toward me. “So, I heard that Billy picked you up this morning at Mrs. B’s.”

“You did?”

It shouldn’t surprise me. This town’s gossip train was a locomotive running at full speed. It seemed everyone’s moves were documented for posterity. Usually, I wouldn’t care, but I didn’t want Nadia to get the wrong idea—or worse, the right one.

My arrangement with Billy was private. And as much as I trusted my friend, I knew the only way to keep it that way was to deny any benefits of our friendship were taking place. “Yeah, he did. I asked Cheyenne to go along, but she was busy. He wanted to show me his property.”

Nadia wagged her brows. “Oh, I bet he did.”

“Ha ha.” I acted as if she were being ridiculous, when in reality, her innuendo was right on the money. “I’m serious. It’s out past the water tower. It has a wrap-around porch and everything.”

“Out past the water tower,” she repeated, as her eyes widened. “Spoken like a true townie. You’re startin’ to know your way around here.”

“Because I noticed that we drove past a hundred and fifty foot structure?”

“Yes!” Nadia held her cup out for another cheers. “To Firefly becoming your home.”

“To Firefly,” I humored her and tapped my glass with hers.

I was sipping another drink when a shadow fell over me.

I glanced up and saw the sun blocker was a wide shouldered, stubble cheeked, cowboy who we’d passed on the way through the crowd. He dipped his hat toward us, revealing a thick head of dirty blonde hair. “Would either of you ladies care to dance?”

Nadia’s gaze cut toward me. Our eyes locked and with only a few facial expressions we silently communicated the following conversation in a matter of seconds.

Her brows rose as she asked, “Do you want to?”

A crinkle of my nose told her, “No. I’m good.”

Her head tilted, questioning, “Are you okay if I go?”

My response was to grab her drink, informing her, “Go for it.”

The smile that spread across her face replied, “Thanks.”

I watched Nadia take the strapping, flannel wearing man’s hand and follow him onto the dance floor. They made a cute couple. He stood a good head taller than Nadia’s five foot six, and since that head was covered in hair, I knew that he already had one thing going for him. The duo seamlessly joined the other couples spinning and dipping in time to the music.

My mind immediately pictured Billy and me out on the dance floor. I had to admit that I was disappointed he wasn’t there.

No. I shook off the thought. I was not going to keep going there. Me having a good time had nothing to do with Billy Comfort, one way or the other.

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