He’s hot. I’ve always known that. Of course I’m going to look at him. It doesn’t mean anything.
“So,” Trina says in a conspiratorial tone. “How did you like the look of Rhys? That was a real treat, huh?”
Oh, Jesus save me.
“I know!” Robyn squeals. “He dropped down out of that engine like an angel from heaven.”
“A big, greasy, dirty angel,” Trina giggles, and all the girls laugh.
“I don’t know,” Lacey says. “I kind of like Billy.”
“Of course you do,” Jane replies. “He’s so soft-spoken, you’d get to talk all the time, and he wouldn’t dare stop you.”
“The guys at the shop are hot,” Robyn says. “But have you seen Rhys’s friend from Diamond Springs—Owen? Now that’s a dreamboat.”
“I think you mean, tasty hunk of man flesh,” Trina says, taking a massive bite of her sandwich to emphasize.
“Who do you like, Sadie?” Lacey asks.
I just shake my head.
“She had her eyes all over Rhys,” Trina says mischievously, her eyebrows lifting up and down. “She just can’t admit it.”
“Maybe she’s going to put a love spell on him,” Jane quips, and everyone laughs.
“Seriously, though,” Trina says. “I have found old texts and ritual objects in the museum archives. There were legends of witches in these hills.”
“There are legends in every old town,” Robyn waves impatiently. “The only magic that really exists is love.”
“Hot, sweaty, passionate love,” Trina agrees, nodding seriously.
We manage to wrap up lunch without much more mention of the boys, and I’m relieved when the group breaks up.
“Hey, Sadie,” Robyn says before she walks away. “We’re going out for drinks tonight if you want to come.”
“Okay,” I reply hesitantly. “It’s just a casual thing, yeah?”
“Yeah,” she agrees. “Just a few cocktails with us girls. Nothing fancy. Trina will tell you where.”
“That I will,” Trina says sagely. “And we’ll mix up our magic potions of lime and vodka and call down the odds on getting lucky.”
“Shut up,” Robyn laughs. “You’ll be lucky if I don’t punch you.”
“Try me,” Trina says, bobbing her fists mockingly.
Lacey, Trina, and I walk back to the museum across the park, and Robyn and Jane go the opposite way towards the mall. As I go back to the books, I’m not sure if I feel excited or nervous about the occasion.
The last time I went out for drinks with the girls was probably the night I met Rhys!
I put in some effort to get my work done early, then tell the others I’m going for a walk.
“Okay,” Trina says. “I’ll text you about tonight?”
“Sure,” I reply. “I just have to figure out a babysitter.”
“No drama,” Trina says, waving.
Once outside, I take a side street that gives me a direct route to Rhys’s shop. The distance isn’t too far, and I find the brisk walk invigorating.
