“Goodnight, Elissa. Drive safe.”
She wiggled her fingers at him, rolled up her window, and inched away. Only after she turned onto the street did Ryan register he’d forgotten to shoot his shot and ask for her number.
thirteen
i’ll get the rum
Elissa kicked at Jules’s door at half past five the next night bearing grinders, ranch fries, and two pina colada Eegee’s, big enough for two drinks each.
The door opened and Jules snatched the slushies out of her hand. “I’ll get the rum.”
Thank God. After last night, she needed nothing more than to get drunk off her butt with her best friend.
Elissa deposited the bag of food on the coffee table as Jules pulled out two stemless wineglasses and a bottle of dark rum. She poured an unhealthy shot into each glass and spooned the frozen pineapple-coconut mixture over it.
Boxes were pushed against the wall next to the door, and there was no sign of Jules’s roommate. Elissa sat on the couch and pulled out the sandwiches and the box of fries, snagging a couple as Jules stirred.
A moment later, Jules handed over an icy glass of alcoholic goodness before plopping next to Elissa.
“So, how was the date? Did you at least meet the right person?”
“I’m never going to live that down, am I?” Elissa said in mock despair as she kicked off her shoes.
“Nope, not if I have anything to say about it. And I do, cuz I’m your BFF! Cheers, lady.”
They clinked glasses and sipped. Only way to enjoy Eegee’s once she passed the legal drinking age.
“Ugh, don’t remind me. Why are you my BFF again?”
“Because…you need someone to reach the stuff from the top shelf for you, and since you don’t have a man in your life right now, that’s me!”
Elissa nudged Jules’s shoulder with her own and giggled.
“So…?” Jules wagged a ranch-drenched fry at her as she settled into the comfortably worn couch.
“You first. What’s going on with the boxes?”
“That’s why I told you to come over. Ashley got offered a fellowship in Australia. I’m gonna need a new roomie, and with your mom doing better, you might be ready to move out.”
Elissa opened and closed her mouth a few times. She’d been resigned to waiting until April or May before seriously considering a move, but now this opportunity dropped in her lap to have her BFF be her roomie, too. The stars had aligned and fate had finally broken her way.
“When?” she finally managed.
“Ash is packing the U-Haul on Friday, taking the stuff she wants to keep to her dad in Albuquerque. Told her she could leave her bed and furniture here if she doesn’t want to lug and store that shit. Bet you can get it for a steal. But only if you tell me what happened last night!”
“Why mention it now? Why didn’t you offer as soon as you found out?” She did not wish to be a pity roomie.
“I knew you wouldn’t even think about it until your mom got the all-clear. I can swing the rent by myself for a bit, so I was gonna give it a month or two. But your mom’s gonna be fine, and you can move before tax season swings into full gear. Whaddya say? Roomies?”
“I’m in!”
“Excellent.” Jules held out her glass again, and they clinked them together even more enthusiastically, if that was possible. “Now, spill. And if you ever hold out on me as a roomie, you’ll have to worry about waking up with a handlebar mustache drawn in Sharpie.”
“I don’t know…I might have the jawline to pull it off.”
“Didn’t say it was going on your face.”
They fell into giggling while they sipped their drinks and ate their dinner.
