We settled into the provided chairs and tore into the bread baskets that had been set out, while two employees fluttered around, topping off everyone’s wine. From there, the conversation got silly pretty quickly, with almost everyone at least a little tipsy by then.
I learned quite a bit about my fellow tour-goers that evening—like the fact that Marla laughed like an abnormally loud hyena once she finally relaxed, more about moles and bunions than I ever expected to hear in one sitting, and several tidbits about Josie’s once-upon-a-time very active sex life that I would have happily stayed in the dark about.
Still, I was glad I’d come tonight. It helped me feel like part of the group again. Less alone.
I did wish Noah had come too, though. And as everyone was busy loading their plates with chicken and roasted potatoes, I found myself checking my phone again.
One message.
A photo: a dark beer in a pint glass, the warm glow of a light above reflecting off a polished bar.
Noah: You’d love this place. It’s called The Blue Moon. Copper ceilings. Old-school bar top. I think the bartender might be a time traveler.
I smiled at the screen.
Me: Don’t stay out too late. Tay’s got us leaving at seven hundred hours again.
He liked the message.
And even though he wasn’t next to me, I still felt the flicker of something sweet and fun and just a little electric.
The air was warm. The wine was soft.
And honestly, I thought that I just might be excited about the rest of this trip.
A PROPER HUMAN
For once, I was one of the first to board the bus. Hair freshly washed and pulled into a high ponytail, clean T-shirt, jean shorts—legs shaved, effort made. Luna Faraday, back on her game.
I’d even had time to swing through the lobby for coffee. Filled a large to-go cup to the brim, with just the right amount of cream and sugar, and gave it a confident stir.
It wasn’t the fancy stuff, but having it, along with a full bottle of water, made me feel prepared. Like I was a proper, functioning human again.
And it felt good.
Now that we were about halfway through the trip, I was beginning to think that Ashley had been right.
I’d just needed to get away.
Not that I’d ever admit that out loud.
Counting the rows to my spot, one less than the day before, I claimed the window seat, storing my bag at my feet, and smiled as people filed on.
Good Lord. I was handing out chipper “good mornings’ as if I were the unofficial bus morale captain. Even I had to admit that it was a little much.
Especially considering half the group looked like they’d crawled out of a wine barrel this morning.
But hey, I’d paced myself last night. Hydrated. Slept.
For once, I’d made good choices.
I might have been enjoying that a little too much.
Patty, looking a little green, did a double-take as she slid into the seat in front of me. “Well, don’t you look fresh-faced and fancy. Where’s quiet, sulky Luna?”
Ouch. I hadn’t been sulky, had I?
Okay. I had. But that was over. Today. I was done feeling sorry for myself.
