Page 94 of Absinthe Minded

“I thought it was you. You don’t remember me. How could you? I mean it’s been a year. I’m Lindsey. A friend of Rebecca’s. We met at the funeral.”

Why is she just now introducing herself?“You’ve been in here quite a bit...”

“Yes, but I wasn’t sure you were the same person. I saw the announcement in the paper. Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” My voice came out breathy. I’d decided to pick my battles with Evelyn. While I didn’t appreciate her putting my personal business in the newspaper, she was Gabe’s mom.

“I read in the paper that you’re engaged to Joe’s brother.” She tilted her head to the side as if studying my reaction.

Nope, not discussing my life with someone I hardly know.“Corona with lime?”

“Not this early. Diet Coke, please.” Lindsey put her elbows on the bar. “How are the kids? I bet they’re getting big.”

I filled a glass with ice and soda and set it in front of her. “They’re doing great.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, are you okay? I saw him put his hands on you the other night.”

Gabe and I’d worked every night for two weeks straight. I had no idea what she referred to. “When?”

“A couple nights ago. You’d changed clothes. He seemed angry…”

“Oh, no. We were goofing around.” I forced a smile unable to imagine my sister befriending someone so awkward.

“I only ask because I do advocacy for abused women.” She sipped her drink.

I laughed before I could stop myself. “I’m fine, really.”

“When’s the wedding?”

“We haven’t set a date.” Hoping she’d stop the interrogation if I looked busy, I went into the back and returned with a bag of limes.

The blonde motioned to my hand. “You don’t have a ring?”

“Not yet.” I slammed the knife through the fruit. “How did you know my sister?”

“Oh, we met at Chloe’s preschool. Rebecca and I visited while the girls had playdates.”

That makes sense. You can’t choose mom friends like you do friend-friends.“Does your daughter go to Chloe’s school?”

“Oh, no. We can’t afford Sacred Heart.” She seemed offended by the thought.

“I can’t either. Her grandparents insisted.”

“Do you have a picture of Chloe? I’d like to share it with Ainsley.”

“I left my phone in the back. Why don’t you text a picture of your daughter, and I’ll respond with one of Chloe? I’m sure she’d get a kick out of seeing her photo.”

Lindsey hesitated. “You’re a mother now. You should have your phone on you at all times. Let’s go get it.”

Before I could sort out the weird request, Dahlia and Shanna arrived. Both women dressed to the nines, I took one look at them and groaned. “I totally forgot we were supposed to go shopping today.”

“You’re going.” Dahlia made sitting at a barstool look graceful.

I’m not ashamed to admit I envied her long legs.

Shanna wore a smirk, and a little black dress. “Did you bring a change of clothes?”

I shook my head. “I forgot all about it this morning. Can we do this another day?”

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