I added the same emoji as he’d put on his text. Lame for a reply, I know, but I didn’t have a clue what I was doing in a relationship.
Wait.
Crap, I didn’t know what we had, but it sure felt likesomething.
After jumping off the bed I tried to put it all out of my mind as I got dressed.
But Lyric wasn’t someone I could forget.
* * *
I was late.
The first time I got together with these ladies outside of work stuff and I didn't show up on time. What would they say if I blamed it on Lyric?
I had a feeling they might actually approve and then tease me endlessly.
The conversation I’d had with Lyric looped over and over in my head as I rushed through the doors of the cute Mexican restaurant I was meeting the girls at. It may not have been Taco Tuesday but who couldn’t eat tacos any day of the week?
A hostess showed me to the table. As we approached, I stopped in my tracks when I saw the large group of boisterous ladies already laughing and having a good time. I almost turned on my heels and fled. They were such a close group and I was a newcomer.
Before I could flee, Alley caught sight of me and jumped out of her chair to greet me. “You made it! We were worried something happened or you changed your mind.” She grabbed my arm and pulled me the rest of the way to the table where everyone said their hellos.
“I’m sorry I am late,” I said, taking the free seat between Teal and Brinley. That made me feel marginally better because I knew them a little better than the others since I’d been their nurse at one point.
My gaze roamed the table taking in Jurnee, Summer, Alley, Gemma, Teal, Brinley, and Capri. It was great they had girl time and such wonderful friendships. It was also amazing that they managed to leave their kids with their fathers or others to do it. I’m sure it being a Saturday helped some and it worked out I was off for the weekend.
Remembering the other plans I had later had a shiver working its way through my body. First because of the call that I had to make, but then the recollection I was having a sleepover took its place. I must have had a funny look on my face and these women didn’t miss a thing.
Brinley nudged my shoulder with hers. “What’s that dreamy look for?” Everyone's eyes came to mine and my face heated.
“I bet it has something to do with a certain hunky policeman,” Teal sing-songed.
I knew in those first few minutes I was in deep shit. These women were like bloodhounds and they were going to seek out exactly what they wanted to know.
Summer clapped her hands in excitement. “Do tell and don’t leave out a thing. We love new romances and Alley can use it in her books.”
Everyone giggled in unison as Alley said, “I do love new material and characters.”
During the self-defense class the previous week I’d heard a bit about what each person did for work and had found out about Alley being an author. I wasn’t sure I wanted my life incorporated into her stories but it was funny to see the ladies having a good time—even at my expense.
When they continued begging and pleading I caved.
“I have some things going on and wanted someone with me tonight so I guess you could say Lyric and I are having a sleepover.”
Cheers went up around the table and laughter rang out as each lady threw out some suggestions that had me blushing.
When everyone calmed down, Brinley laid her hand on my arm. “I’m happy for you but whatever is going on remember we’re all here for you too. We can kick ass like the guys if we need to.” Then she leaned closer to me. “Plus Alley has two bats.”
After that, drinks came and our delicious food. While we ate, Summer and I swapped nurse stories. She worked at a different hospital but it was great to have something in common with someone else. I also got to hear the crazy story about Alley and the bats, a little about each woman's life, and their whirl-wind romances..
All the ladies were hitched except for Gemma and Capri. Gemma was younger than everyone but had a maturity about her that made her seem no different than us. Although from time to time a wary look came into her eyes and I wondered what put it there. And Capri was new to the group and while she was super sweet and fun, she seemed to keep her personal life beyond her business to herself.
I was a little surprised the ladies allowed those two to stay quiet about some things but I had a feeling they, like Lyric, knew when it was time to push and time to pull back.
They had however grilled me about my modeling job and fussed over how amazing I looked when I showed up atNo Surrender.There were a million questions about where I had done jobs, what kind, and who for. I pulled out my phone and showed them some pictures from some of my shoots.
“These are so freaking fabulous,” Brinley gushed. “Girl, you are a knock-out. And not only in these pictures. You are beautiful all the time.”
