I felt my phone vibrate again. I unlocked the screen and saw I had three unread messages in the group chat.
Rose: Mar we are leaving in ten minutes for my birthday dinner and dancing.
Rose: Five minutes . . . where are you?
Rose: Mar, so help me. If you bail on my birthday dinner, I will come slash your tires and then kidnap you. Remember to dress up and you both have to go dancing with me.
We were going to Clifton to The Stuffed Olive and then out dancing. Faith was not one for social crowds, but she would do anything for Rose on her birthday.
I typed my reply.
Marissa: Sorry, on my way!
Faith sent a bunch of dancing emojis and hearts.
I drove the ten minutes to the little duplex they rented and grabbed my jacket and Rose’s gift bag off the passenger seat then shut the car door with a thud.
Rose and Faith must have heard me coming because they were already out the door.
Rose had large gold hoop earrings and her long dark hair in a tight high ponytail. She had black tight pants, and her crop top had gold sequins. Her dark eye makeup and red lips completed the look.
“Alright birthday girl! You lookhot!” I ran the rest of the way to her, trying not to roll my ankle in my heels, and pulled her into a hug. “I’m so sorry I’m late. Nan was trying to get on the roof to fix the shingles. I figured I better fix it before she got any ideas.”
Rose chuckled. “I love her. Alright, let’s go ladies, let’s party!” She pulled us both into a side hug. “Twenty-four has never looked so good!”
Faith gave a soft smile. “You both look amazing.”
Faith’s blonde hair was curled, and she had some silver dangle earrings. Where Rose was sequins and bold, Faith was subtle and soft. She had a loose-fit cream-colored yarn sweater with a knee-length flared dark blue skirt. I had no idea what brand her heels or purse were, but they looked expensive. She must have scored those thrifting. Teachers were tragically underpaid.
“Want me to drive?” I pointed to my Honda.
Rose laughed. “No, I want to actually get there and back. Faith already volunteered.”
“Ouch.” I laughed. “Respect your elders.” That car had seen me through a lot of things. When Carol said she didn’t want it taking up space in her parking lot anymore, I knew it was most likely a lie and that she was trying to be nice.
We climbed into Faith’s car, and she pulled onto the main highway.
“So . . . are you dressed up like this for tonight? I mean, I said to dress up, but I was curious if this was because of a certain someone helping fix the roof?” Rose turned in her seat.
“What the . . .”
Rose was the queen of the gossip chain. She didn’t spread it, but she was always in the loop. I think it’s because she owned the only salon in town, and everyone was always trying to be on her good side.
Rose held up her phone with its bedazzled case, showing me a picture. It was Scott and I on the roof, my body pressed against his. I felt my breath catch in my throat. How was I going to explain that?
She swiped again and showed one of us against the tool shed.
Another picture. Okay, this was borderline creepy.
“Geez, where’s the paparazzi?” I shouldn’t be surprised.
Rose pursed her lips. “Ashley sent them to Nancy, who then sent them to me.”
That woman needed some more hobbies or cats or something. “We’re just friends, nothing more.”
“Faith is a friend, and she has never held me like that . . .” Rose smirked.
Faith flinched. “Oh no, don’t bring me into this. I told you to leave it alone and let Mar tell us when she was ready.”
