He definitely did now.
She needed to change the subject fast before her train of thought became obvious on her heating face. “How do you all know each other?”
“We all grew up together,” said Minnie, ruffling Keeley’s hair.
“Now Minnie and Keeley go to university in Evory.” Brayden’s arm brushed against hers.
Scarlett’s eyes lit up. She’d been looking forward to visiting Evory on her tour. “Oh, cool. Do you like Evory? What are you studying?”
“It’s incredible. I just finished medical school. They have a top-notch course in plant medicine,” said Minnie. “Dear Keeley wentto veterinary school.”
“Wow, you’re a doctor?” asked Scarlett in awe. Politicians claimed to want to help people, but doctors actually did. “And you’re a veterinarian?”
“There are limited choices available if you want to stay in Clair de Lune,” Keeley said as she wiped the table clean. “The options are soldier, farmer, doctor, or shop owner. I chose vet.”
“You’re exaggerating,” said Scarlett.
“She’s exaggerating,” agreed Brayden. “There’s also teacher, politician, and dentist. We have all the normal jobs.”
Scarlett laughed. At least he’d included politician in the list, like there was room for her here if she wanted there to be.
Minnie glanced down at their empty hands. “Oh shit, we need more drinks. Would you like a moon cider? It’s made with special apples that only grow here. There’s mead as well, but it’s quite strong.”
“Moon cider sounds delicious. Thank you.” Anything other than warm beer.
“Moon cider for me too, please,” said Brayden. His body was so close to hers he kept brushing up against her, but he was still so far. She wanted to put her hand in his back pocket, but there was no way she was going to after his rejection earlier on.
“Could I try the mead as well?” Scarlett wanted three drinks, max. Enough to get a nice buzz.
Brayden tilted his head, looking at her appraisingly, but he said nothing.
“Of course. Double-fisting is my favorite pastime,” said Minnie.
“You’ll fit in here nicely,” said Keeley. “Let’s head outside—we’ll get the drinks on the way.”
Keeley and Minnie led them through a crowded kitchen, and Brayden put his hand on her lower back, sticking close to her, while Minnie poured their drinks. Everyone knew Brayden—several people shouted drunken greetings at him. He nodded at them but never took his hand off her, and he didn’t stop to talk or introduce her to anyone. She hoped that was because he didn’t want to share her and not for some other reason.
As they stepped outside onto the back veranda, Scarlett sipped the cider, and the cold, crisp apple drink went down easy. It tasted more like an actual apple than the cider in Soleil, and it was delicious.
It was much warmer outside than it had been in the forest. Was this magic? The porch had a vine-covered trellis over the top of it, and it twinkled with fairy lights. She spotted James at a long table grazing on a large charcuterie platter while talking to the girl next to him. Several people sat around a lit firepit. One of them was smoking out of a hookah pipe. Scarlett had only seen pictures of one before, although she’d read they were popular in the desert country of Utidi.
Minnie’s home was cosmopolitan, and this openness to Evory, Utidi, and the rest of the continent was exactly what Scarlett wanted for Soleil.
Brayden moved toward an open seat around the firepit, but before Scarlett could follow, Minnie grabbed her elbow.
“Do you want a shot of peanut butter whiskey?” She gestured to the table, where Keeley was lining up a row of shot glasses next to a glass bottle of brown liquid.
Scarlett was already moving toward it. “Absolutely.” The shot would be her third and final drink. She made eye contact with Brayden and pointed to the glasses. He gave her a thumbs-up from where he was talking to the guy next to him—an athletic-looking redhead who was nearly as large as Brayden. Maybe they were gym buddies.
Minnie steered Scarlett toward the table, and Keeley handed her a shot.
“To science and friendship,” said Minnie.
The corners of Scarlett’s mouth turned up. This woman had nonstop banter. They all threw back their shots. The nutty-flavored liquid burned as it slid down her throat. The warmth of the alcohol hit her stomach, followed by a buzz.
Is it bad to drink when you’ve just had energy healing?She shrugged.Too late now.
“That was yummy,” said Keeley. She and Minnie sat in some chairs next to the charcuterie. After a glance toward Brayden, who was happily conversing with ginger gym man, Scarlett joined them.
