“To decking the halls and Santa Claus,” I say before we both look at Bristol expectantly.
“Um…to…I have no idea. Let’s just drink before this melts,” she huffs. So we do, clinking our glasses and giggling before taking a sip. The mango is refreshing, the lack of sugar or salt onthe rim intentional. The only time I indulge is in the fall when the pumpkin beers come out because cinnamon and sugar is a flavor must.
“It’s honestly the perfect time. We’ll be flyin’ in early Christmas Eve morning so we can still have a big sleepover.”
Bristol’s smile is genuine before it slides to something more pensive as she looks at me. “Since we’re asking about favors…”
“Oh no,” I groan. “Now what?”
“I need one too,” she starts, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. “Nina is hosting a speed-dating event at the library.”
“Oh my gosh, that’s amazing,” Cora says, taking Bristol’s hand and squeezing, obviously putting together the pieces faster than I am.
Again.
“And scary,” Bristol says wryly. “I signed up but I don’t want to go alone.” Her big doe eyes meet mine, and I snort because I’ve seen Navy make that exact same face. “And I might have signed you up too.”
This time I can’t help but throw back my head and laugh. There’s not a chance in hell I want to go speed dating, but there’s even less of a chance I’d say no to bein’ Bristol’s wingwoman as the widowed, single mother dips her toes back into dating.
Grabbing her other hand in both of mine, I give her the brightest smile I can manage. “I will absolutely go for you.”
Shoulders sagging, her eyes are glassy as her gaze bounces between us.
“Thank you so much,” she whispers. “My family are the only ones that stayed with me after Davis passed, and I’m just so grateful to have you both.” She gives a shaky laugh as she blinks back tears. “I love my daughter to the ends of the earth and beyond, but it’s so nice to have girlfriends again.”
“That’s good because you’re stuck with us,” Cora jokes, wrapping her arm around Bristol’s shoulders and waving at me to join.
Scooting my chair closer, I hug the two women who have become my sisters, each coming into my life at two very different times, one no less important than the other.
“I’m totally keeping you,” I tell Bristol.
“This calls for more drinks and queso,” she says with a watery laugh.
“To drinks and queso!”
3
PHOENIX
“You’re gonna be nice to her, right?” Talon asks for the third time since I agreed to help Aspen work the catering event. He and Cora had tag-teamed me a week ago in the garage, and my brother had been on my back about it ever since. “I dare you.”
“Fucking A, dude,” I bark as I spin to face him, my arms folded across my chest, as my voice bounces around the bay of Lowcountry Automotive. “Yes, I’ll act like a god damn adult and work with Aspen because it’s important, and I won’t mess with their livelihood just because I don’t want to be trapped with her in the deathmobile.”
Talon’s lips quirk up at the last part of my tirade.
Because it’s way more telling than I intended it to be.
Since Talon and Cora finally got together, he’s taken over the truck’s maintenance and actually fixed the Taste of Magnolia. The asswipe she’d been bringing it to hadn’t fixed a damn thing—just charged her for it—but now that’s not an issue.
And Talon knows it.
“Look,” I say, trying to defuse the situation before he gets it into his head that Aspen’s gotten into mine, “there’s a reason I participate in as little social interaction as possible.”
“Your cheerful demeanor gave that away,” he deadpans, and I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes.
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
