“Perfect.” Mia tugs at her auburn hair in her already high ponytail. “Wish me luck.”
I very much don’t do that. In fact, I bite the inside of my cheek to the point that I’m sure I’ve drawn blood. I like Mia, I truly do, but I don’t want her flirting with Beck. I don’t want him to realize how cool she actually is, then agree to go on a date with her…
This is ridiculous, how did I get here?
Just a few months ago, Beck was annoying and had that overly cocky persona that I loathe…but somewhere along the way, the asshole pulled some voodoo magic because I actually look forward to spending time with him now.
Setting the Manhattan in front of the tool in a suit, I finally let go of my cheek when I realize this man’s ring is now mysteriously gone. And shocker, he’s talking to the woman who has, unfortunately, sat down next to him.
My blood starts to boil. You know what? I’m not going to get a decent tip from this dipwad anyway.
“Here we are.” I slide the drink to him then turn to the woman. “What can I get you?”
She flashes a small smile to me then the secret pig next to her. “I think I’ll have a dirty martini, two olives.”
I wait for it.
“On my tab,” he adds.
I fake a smile. “Perfect.” Without question, I ring up her drink on his tab, per his request. When I slide the drink back, I hold my smile. “And here you go. While you are sipping on this, ask him about the ring he has in his pocket,” I say, not waiting for any response and heading back over to Callie and Emma.
“Okay, give me your orders before I change my mind on those free drinks.”
“I’ll take a glass of merlot, please,” Callie says.
“How uncool is it of me to order a Shirley Temple?” Emma asks with a scrunch on her nose. “I was thinking I could finish this painting tonight, and I’m on my fine line details that will require Sober Ems.”
I snort a laugh. “Not uncool, but I thought you said you needed the drink to be wingwoman of the year?”
Emma’s eyes nearly roll out of her head. “I’m off duty tonight. Thank god.”
Callie rests her head on her shoulder. “I, however, am on duty for our Ems because she needs to move on from our playboy of the century.”
I slide Callie’s glass of wine in front of her then reach for a new glass to start Emma’s. “You sure you don’t need a shot of courage for that?”
Emma lifts her shoulder to shake off Callie. “No, I don’t, because she’s just been fired. And I’ve moved on from Tripp, thank you very much.”
When Callie and I give each other looks that sayyeah, right,Emma whines. “It’s true! I have.”
Callie pats her shoulder. “Of course you have.”
I slide the drink across the bar top and match Callie’s sarcastic tone. “We so believe you.”
Emma tosses her hands up. “There’s truly nothing to move on from, we’ve only ever been friends.”
Callie waves her off. “Been there, done that. It’s better to get the orgasms out of it.”
I give Callie a wink because, gah, I love how happy her and Will are. What I don’t understand is Tripp and Emma. “Okay, I really need more details, because you keep saying you guys became friends in college, but that doesn’t make sense to me. How are you two ‘college’ friends…isn’t Tripp older than us? Didheeven go to college?”
Emma all but shrinks in her chair. “It’s a long story.”
More people filter in around the bar, and I let out a sigh. “Give me the highlights as I pass by.” Taking two steps over, I take some drink orders before popping the tabs on two Modelos, then bring a bottle of champagne in front of Callie and Emma to uncork.
“Go.”
“I really don’t—” Emma starts, but between my evil eye and Callie’s shove, she groans. “Okay, highlights. We met my sophomore year of college and we just were quick friends. I don’t know how to explain it…we sort of hit it off.”
I raise an eyebrow. “If you guys ‘hit it off,’ you’d be dating. Leaving out some context, Ems. But hold it.” I put the bottle into a bucket of ice and grab two empty flute glasses. I pass that off then I’m back in front of my girls. “Shoot.”
