The redheaded woman, Juliet, lets out a snort at my description.“Friendly.Sure.”
“I mean, he’s kinda friendly,” Zoey offers, facing her companion.There’s a thickness to her words, the hint of a slur, that makes me think these two women have been drinking for a little while.
And I’m suddenly fascinated to discover exactly what a drunk Zoey means.
“Oh, really?”Juliet leans back in her camping chair, giving me a thorough once-over.“How’s he been friendly?”
Zoey holds up her hand, ticking favors off on fingers.“He gave me a ride.Fixed my car.Helped carry some shopping bags.Invited me to lunch.Lent me a saw.”She wiggles her five digits.
“Is he trying to get in your pants?”Juliet’s words come out clearer than Zoey’s.She throws her can into a paper bag that clanks with the sound of multiple empties before diving into a large cooler and coming out with another.
Either the librarian holds her booze better than Zoey or she’s just a more articulate drunk.
“Can you come here?”Zoey waves her hand in an overly vigorous motion, enticing me forward.
The closer I get, the more of her beautiful, flushed cheeks I see.Her eyes shine in the firelight as they trace over my face, seemingly unable to stay still.
“Are you trying to get in my pants?”
Zoey is wearing a pair of jeans and hiking boots with a large fleece that falls halfway down her thighs.A crocheted hat covers her head, and she grips her beer with gloved hands.She’s dressed for warmth, and I’m tempted to tell her just how I could heat her up.
Hell yeah, I want to get in her pants.
But not in the way Juliet is implying.Not some quick, impersonal bang.
And right now, with Juliet and my brother nearby, I can honestly say, “Not at this moment.”
“Nonanswer!”Juliet proclaims.
Before the librarian can call me out again, I change the subject.“You two having a party?”
“We’re celebrating our new friendship.With beer!”Zoey goes to take a sip from her can, but comes away frowning, apparently finding it empty.
“Aren’t you worried about animals?”
Yellow Pine Lake is a common campsite, but it’s still wild.
Zoey juts her jaw out, as if she’s trying to make her face look heavier, like a Neanderthal.The effect is emphasized and made all the more hilarious when she speaks in a deep voice.“Women make fire.”She waves at said fire.“Fire scare animals.”
“Plus, we’ve got this big guy.”Juliet heaves out of her chair to crouch beside Bruce, patting the giant dog on his belly.
“And Juliet gave me bear mace!”Zoey shouts like it’s the best gift she’s ever received.
Probably not an item I’d offer up to someone when they’re drunk.
“How late were you three planning on celebrating?”Damn, I sound like an overprotective parent.
The women seem to agree, sharing a look between them before breaking into laughter.The sound has me grinning.Zoey looks so carefree, clutching her stomach as she leans back, letting her chuckles drift up into the starry night sky.
When she catches her breath, I’m treated to a beautiful grin.“We’re camping!Look.”She points past the edge of the firelight, and I spot a small tent.“Juliet is teaching me some outdoorsy stuff.”
“We are strong, independent women!”the librarian declares before taking a deep swallow of her beer.
“Damn right we are!”Zoey faces the lake as she shouts her words.As they tumble into the night, she lets out a happy sigh.
“Why are you lurking, Roderick?”Juliet calls to the shadows behind me.“You’re being creepy!”
She doesn’t get an answer, but Zoey whirls around, clearly searching for Roderick in the darkness.Roots creep over the beach, and she loses her footing.My arms are out to catch her a second before she regains her balance on her own.
