“I remember,” Clare said. “But please? I don’t want to go alone.”
Alicia sighed. “I don’t enjoy being around people. You know this. And you don’t even drink. This is a silly errand you’re not even being paid for.”
Clare flinched. Maybe shewasletting work take advantage of her. “Well, I already said yes, so the only question is whether you’re coming with me or not.”
Alicia wrapped her arms around her knees. “I guess someone needs to taste test the alcohol at this bar.”
* * *
A buzzof conversation filled the air as Clare led the way into the bar. Beside her, Alicia’s jaw clenched. Despite her stony expression, she looked lovely tonight in a blue-patterned sundress. Her skin was radiant from the sun she’d gotten earlier at the beach. She was easily the most beautiful woman in the room…and also the least approachable. Clare fought a smile at the dichotomy.
They took two empty stools near the middle of the bar. Alicia’s back was ramrod straight as she looked at Clare. “Are you sure you want me to order a drink? I’m fine with club soda.”
“Order whatever you want,” Clare said. “It doesn’t bother me if you drink alcohol.”
Alicia’s lips pressed together in a firm line, and Clare wasn’t sure whether her discomfort stemmed from her own antisocial tendencies or concern for Clare. Maybe a combination of both. Clare couldn’t help the first, but she could set Alicia’s mind at ease on the latter.
“I’m not an alcoholic,” she told Alicia. “My mom is, and my childhood was sometimes chaotic as a result, but she’s been sober for ten years now. I got drunk a few times in college, but I hated the way it made me feel. That’s probably partly because of my mom, but the point I’m trying to make is that I don’t enjoy drinking alcohol, so it doesn’t tempt me. Order whatever you want. I’m fine, I promise.”
“Okay.” Alicia seemed to relax then. “I’m not a big drinker either, but I’ll have a beer since we’re here.”
Clare rested her elbows on the counter and attempted to catch the bartender’s eye. On this Sunday night in the off season, the place wasn’t too busy, which was for the best. Clare didn’t particularly enjoy being around rowdy, drunk people, and Alicia probably didn’t either.
“What can I get you ladies?” the bartender asked as he approached them.
“I’ll have a virgin strawberry daiquiri please,” Clare told him.
“Do you have a pale ale on tap?” Alicia asked.
He nodded. “We have Blue Moon Belgian White.”
“I’ll have that,” she said.
“Once we get our drinks, we should move outside,” Clare suggested. There was an outdoor patio with tables overlooking the beach.
“Definitely,” Alicia agreed.
Clare glanced to her right, drawn by the irritated tone of the woman beside her. She couldn’t quite make out the conversation, but it was easy to see that the man on her other side was hitting on her and she was attempting to blow him off. Just when Clare was wondering if she should intervene, the woman took her drink and stalked off to another part of the bar.
“Bitch,” the man muttered, loud enough for Clare to hear.
Her eyebrows rose, and she spun to face Alicia. “Yikes.”
“What was that about?” Alicia asked.
“Disastrous flirting,” Clare told her.
Alicia winced. “At least I wasn’t involved for once.”
“Oh, come on, you can be charming when you want to be.”
Alicia’s eyebrows rose. “What have I ever done to give you that impression?”
“It’s true that you have a bit of a tough shell, but I’ve also seen the softness behind it.”
Alicia gave her a sharp look. “You barely know me.”
Speaking of tough.Clare suspected Alicia used it as a defense mechanism when she was feeling uncomfortable, but there was probably more to it than that. The bartender brought their drinks before Clare could respond, and they paid and walked outside. After finding a table, Clare sipped her drink and soaked in the ambiance. It was nice, especially out here where she could feel the breeze and look up to see the stars overhead.
