“It’s no problem at all. We’re early for our reservation anyway.” Taya looped her arm through Penny’s. “Mexican food, followed by dancing. Does that sound okay?”
“It’s perfect,” Penny replied. “Mexican is my favourite.”
“I know,” Taya said with a laugh. “But really, who doesn’t like Mexican food? And this little place on the foreshore is amazing. You’re going to love it. They do a taco salad that’s to die for.”
“Salad? Really?” Penny asked. “It’s not a salad kind of night.”
“I forgot,” Taya said, patting Penny’s arm. “You’re a melted cheese and chips kind of gal.”
“All day long — I know it’s not healthy, but sometimes you’ve got to enjoy life. In fact, I insist we all get dessert as well. No diets tonight!”
“After a couple of cocktails, I’ll be downing gelato like I’m in Rome,” Bea replied with a chuckle, doing her best not to grimace from the tweaking pain in her hip with every step she took. “Although since I’m the designated driver, I suppose they’ll be virgin cocktails anyway. So never mind.”
“Are you okay?” Eveleigh asked, concern etched on her face.
“Yep, fine,” Bea replied in a tight voice.
They stopped at several small boutiques along the esplanade on their way to the restaurant and browsed through silk kaftans, skimpy bikinis, sarongs and the shortest shorts Bea had ever seen. Finally, she found a pair of black leggings in a small bin in the back of one boutique, purchased a pair and pulled them on in the change room beneath her dress. She joined the others, who’d all made purchases as well, and they linked arms to walk down the street together.
“It’s so good to get away from everything,” Penny said. “Did I tell you that Rowan wants to work at the refuge with me?”
“Wow. Really?” Taya asked.
“That’s a great idea,” Bea said.
“What do you think about it?” Eveleigh asked.
Penny sighed. “It’s amazing, and he’s wonderful for suggesting it. But what if it ruins our relationship? I don’t know if we’d be able to work together. I can be a bit irritating at times. I’m sure my staff would say that’s an understatement. But they have to put up with me because I’m their boss.”
“You’re notcompletelyirritating,” Taya replied. “Not all the time, anyway.”
“Gee, thanks for the ringing endorsement,” Penny sassed.
“The sarcasmisirritating, though,” Taya said with a shake of her head and a sparkle in her eye.
“You’re hilarious. I’m being serious — I want to work with him. I need the help since I have far more work than I can manage, but I don’t want to cause tension between us.”
“It might cause tension at some point,” Bea said. “But once you’re married, that’s going to happen eventually anyway. You’ll have to learn to navigate living together and dealing with conflict in your relationship as a couple whether you work together or not.”
“That’s true,” Penny admitted. “If we can’t manage this, we won’t be able to manage living in the same house.”
“I say give it a go. If it doesn’t work, you can always make a change,” Eveleigh suggested.
They arrived at the Mexican restaurant. Night had fallen, and there were people everywhere. Restaurants were packed with patrons. Nightclubs and bars had revellers spilling out of doorways. Music blared, and the rhythmic beat of drums escaped to echo along the footpath. The heady scent of a multitude of different types of foods, along with vape smoke and alcohol, filled the air.
“Here we are,” Taya said, leading the way inside.
The restaurant was decorated with Mexican artwork, pictures of colourful cottages with statues of beautiful women and clay pots. There were twinkle lights hanging from rafters overhead, and soft mariachi music played through speakers around the room.
They sat at a small table in the back of the restaurant and reminisced over their teen years together. Taya gave a small speech about Penny and Rowan, and they all said cheers and clinked glasses then drank. Bea ate the taco salad and Taya was right, it was delicious. She poured herself a glass of red wine to go with it, since it paired perfectly and brought out the flavours in a new way.
Taya ordered the chicken enchiladas, Eveleigh had a burrito, and Penny of course had an enormous beef nachos. They enjoyed chips with salsa throughout the evening and finished with churros and caramel dipping sauce for dessert. By the time they were done, Bea was completely stuffed full and glad to be able to get to her feet and limp from the restaurant out into the cool night air.
“Are you hurt?” Taya asked, slipping her arm through Bea’s.
“Sciatic pain. It’s no big deal.”
“Do you think you can still go dancing?”
