Mia groans.
We all turn to face her.
She bounces her gaze to each of us. “What?”
Sophie gives her a pointed stare. “Why are you upset?”
“I’m not.” Her tone borders on a whine. Next, she lets out a harrumph and drops her chin into her hands. “Fine. I’m envious. You all have such exciting jobs. Sophie’s a photojournalist. Lily’s head of security over the arena, and the new girl here does PR for the team.”
Sophie rolls her eyes. “Here we go again.”
Mia sits up straight, stiff as a board. “What does that mean?”
“You’re always complaining about how boring your job is, but you know you love it.”
“I didn’t say I hated it. Just that it sounds dull compared to you three.”
Lily gives her a pointed look. “Then don’t compare. Be proud of the fact that you’re shaping minds for the future.”
“True.” Mia lifts her glass to take a sip.
Sophie takes it from her. “New girl?”
Mia cringes, then dons an apologetic expression. “Sorry, Bree. I was being sarcastic. Soph will tell you I’m a snark queen. Just my MO.”
Appreciating her apology, I smile. “No worries. I get it. My job may sound glamorous, but it’s not. Especially with hockey. The smell alone has me rethinking my career choice many a time.”
All three laugh and nod their agreement because they know full well. I settle in, enjoying the camaraderie forming among us as we talk about everything and anything. The conversation never lags, not even when our meals arrive.
I’m on my second glass of wine, something I rarely do, when I notice Lily keeps staring at me. I focus on finishing my scrumptious fried shrimp and oysters, but she continues to study me.
Finally, I sit back and touch my cheek as I return her stare. “Do I have tartar sauce on my face?”
Lily shakes her head. “No, just wondering when you’re going to tell us what happened last night.”
Feeling pinned, I push my wine glass away.
Sophie rests her hand on my wrist. “The thing you have to understand about Lily is that she doesn’t beat around the bush, but know that her directness always comes from a place of caring.”
Emboldened by my liquid courage, I slide my eyes to Sophie. “Wow, I can see why you’re a journalist.”
“Photojournalist.”
Lily leans catty-corner across the table toward Sophie. “I still struggle to grasp the difference between the two, since you write the articles that go with your pictures.”
Sophie waves her off, but faces me. “You don’t have to share anything you’re not ready to talk about, okay? We just want youto know we’re here for you. And if we can help, I hope you’ll let us.”
Mia and Lily both nod at me with compassionate smiles.
Lily’s brows lift. “Oh, I know. I could tell you about the time I had to help a client get dressed after I found them passed out naked in the bathroom. That was pretty bad.”
Mia diverts her gaze to Lily. “You never mentioned that one. Male or female?”
“Male”
“Attractive?”
“Very.”
