April waited for more, but for now, that seemed all that Sasha was willing to offer.
“Fine,” April said. “Keep your secrets.”
“I’m very good at that,” Sasha said, tipping her glass toward April, but her eyes were still sad.
April lifted her glass as well, and they sat in an easy silence for a while, watching the dancers and the brides flutter through the room. Still, as April watched her town mingling with Hollywood, an idea formed.
More than an idea.
A longing.
Ever since Sasha had mentioned her road trip plans a few weeks ago, April had felt it, like an itch she couldn’t quite reach. It wasn’t a solid life plan. It wasn’t even a yearlong plan. But it was something. And it made Aprilfeelsomething other than dread. It even made her feel excitement.
Passion and art and a wide-open road.
She wasn’t sure how she’d feel in three months. What she’dneed or how much money would be left in her savings, but this was a start.
A stepping-off point to choosing herself. Tolovingherself, as much as she was loath to agree with Sasha’s two cents.
“Can I come with you?” she asked Sasha.
Sasha’s brows lifted. “Really?”
April nodded, a smile pulling at her mouth. “Yeah.” She sat up straighter, her heart fluttering under her ribs. “I can pay my way. I’m clean. I’m a good driver. And I make fuckinggreatplaylists.”
Sasha regarded her for a second, blue eyes narrowed slightly. Finally, she grinned. “A road trip buddy.”
“A road trip buddy,” April said. “All the way to LA.”
“All right,” Sasha said, nodding sagely. “All right, let’s do it. But only if you agree to always, always call my car by her proper name.”
April placed her hand on her heart. “Gertie, it would be a privilege.”
Sasha laughed. “Damn right.”
And just like that, April had a plan. She hadsomething. Something she wanted, something that made her feel electric and alive.
She settled back in her chair and took another sip of her drink, tilting her head at her new travel companion. “What’s your last name? I just realized I don’t even know it. Or is that a secret too?”
Sasha cleared her throat, her smile small. “It’s Sinclair.”
“Nice to officially meet you, Sasha Sinclair,” April said, holding out her free hand. Sasha laughed and they shook, then April set her glass on the table and sat on the edge of her chair, energy buzzing through her fingertips. “Okay, so, talk to me about packing for this trip.”
“Well, you can’t bring your cats, for one.”
“Fuck, my cats,” April said, freezing. “That’s okay, I bet Mr.Riley will—”
“Hey,” Daphne said, appearing next to April’s chair, all lavender and curls and perfection.
April swallowed hard at the sight of her. “Hi.”
“Do you want to dance?” Daphne asked as the music shifted to something slower, something languid and romantic.
“Oh,” April said. “Um—”
“Yes, she does,” Sasha said, standing up and stretching her lithe limbs.
“Bossy,” April said. Sasha winked at her, then sauntered off into the crowd.
