“Who is this ‘we’ thing?”
“You and me … hello? I’m your wing-woman.”
“No, you’re not,” I correct her. “You would make the worst wing-woman in the world.”
“That’s rude, Austin.” She slaps her pen down. “How dare you insult my matchmaking skills?”
I cough, “April.”
“What was that?” she asks.
“You heard me,” I tell her.
“Just because April was a germaphobe, claustrophobic, arachnophobic, and agoraphobic doesn’t mean she wasn’t a sweet woman.”
“April couldn’t be in enclosed spaces or in public. It made things slightly challenging. She washed her mouth off with Purell after we kissed.” It was so insane I still laugh about it sometimes. Daisy’s laughing over the memory but tries to hide it behind her hand. “Don’t even try to pretend like that was a match made in heaven. Plus, we won’t even talk about that setup between Kelli and me—you know, Miss Old-Gold-Ball-Digger.”
“Ew, gross. Yeah, I remember Kelli. Okay, fine, Austin, I won’t help you anymore.”
“I never asked you for help,” I remind her.
Clara joins us at the counter. “Late again, Austin.”
“Actually, I was a minute early, Clara. Are you watching the clock to make sure I’m not late?”
“No,” she says. “I just see you running in and assume you’re late.”
“I don’tliketo be late, so I run.”
“I know. I’m just teasin’ you,” she says, rolling her eyes at me. “Here, Daisy. The patient I just checked in has records from another hospital that weren’t digitally sent over. Can you scan these in?”
“Sure thing,” Daisy says, taking the folder from Clara.
“Are you guys going to the ice cream festival tonight?” Clara asks. “I want to go but you two are my only friends, sooo … ” She coughs with a “hint, hint,” in the mix.
“You really need to make some new friends,” I joke.
Clara punches me in the shoulder. “Come onnn. It’ll be fun. You need to get out, anyway.”
“I’ll go,” Daisy agrees. “Come on, Austin. Don’t be a stick in the mud. Have some fun for a change.”
“I don’t know,” I tell them. “I have so many things going on right now.”
“Oh really? Like what? Drinking yourself to sleep?” Clara asks, pointedly.
“Ouch, ease up there, boss,” I tell her.
“Then quit being sassy and say you’ll come with us,” she argues.
“Okay, fine, I’ll go. I suppose it’s been a while since I’ve tried some crazy ice cream concoctions.”
“Plus, you’re with the funnest gals in town,” Daisy adds in.
I chuckle. “Whatever you want to tell yourself, darlin’.”
“Don’t be rude, Austin,” she responds. “It’s a privilege to be out with us ladies.”
“Right. Well, thank you for thinking of me. I’ve never been invited anywhere by the ‘funnest gals’ in town,” I say with a grin.
