I pulled up to the bar and couldn’t help but smile when I spotted Jade and Nora standing near the front. They were talking together, clearly looking like the best friends everyone knew they were. They both waved as I parked, and I waved back. I hurried out and headed across the street. “Hey, guys.”
Jade squealed. “Hey! Gosh, I feel like it’s been forever since we’ve seen you.”
“It’s only been a couple of weeks,” I chuckled as Jade pulled me into a hug. I sank against it, feeling like I needed it after the last couple of days.
Ever since moving in, I’d been angry and wishing things were different. I was angry about the situation we were in, disappointed that I had dragged Hazel into this shit show. I was most angry with myself for not being able to make things better. I wished I had been able to change so much.
“I’m thinking a bottle of wine,” Nora chirped as she pushed the door open. She held the door open, giving Jade and me room to enter. “Also, is your sister working?”
I nodded as we stepped into the bar. The bar was pretty empty since it was only a little after noon, and they had just opened only half an hour ago. The bar was warm, and I could smell cinnamon and firewood.
“I’m glad you wanted to come out. Even though it’s freezing outside.” Jade squeezed my shoulder, and I smiled back. When Jade and Nora asked if I wanted to go out, I jumped on the idea.
They both understood what it felt like to be an outcast, someone who people accepted for being different. Jade hadalways been sweet and offered Hazel and me a hand whenever she could. She’d bought us clothes when we first arrived, and made sure we had money to buy food. Nora had stopped in countless times, dropping off groceries and cleaning supplies. Both of them had given us a shoulder to cry on when things seemed too hard and wise words that things would be better.
“How do fries and chicken wings sound?”
“Oh, that sounds really good.”
We headed for the bar where Hazel was cleaning some glasses. She smiled when she spotted us. “Hey, you guys. What brings you in?”
“We’re going to have some food and a bottle of wine. And give you some company as well.”
We all pulled up chairs, and Hazel placed three glasses of wine on the table. “Red or white wine?”
“Surprise us with whatever sounds good,” Jade said, stretching her arms. “I slept like shit, so maybe this will help me get some good sleep tonight.”
Nora turned to me. “Speaking of sleep, how the hell did we not know about you and Westley? I didn’t even know you two were a thing.”
I stiffened, and Hazel’s eyes snapped toward me. I watched her fingers freeze before proceeding to uncork a bottle of red wine. Her lips stayed pressed together, and she quickly shook it off, smiling once more.
I was going to guess that Westley hadn’t told the guys the truth, and I didn’t see the need to share it myself. It was better to just lie a little rather than explain that Hazel and I tried to make a run for it. Deep down, I didn’t want to know what they would say if they knew the truth. I knew they would likely start to askquestions, wanting to help where they could. I could imagine the hurt looks we would get.
“It kind of just happened,” I whispered, trying to think of a good excuse. How else would I explain our sudden marriage?
“Marriage so fast? Dang, you guys must be in love.” Jade leaned onto the counter. “Young and in love.”
I gave a shy smile as Hazel popped the cork on the bottle. Nora cheered, pulling up her glass. “Woo! Let’s drink to love.”
We drank and ate, laughing about everything we could think of. I always found myself relaxing with them. They always made me feel safe and welcome.
“These fries are amazing,” Jade said as she bit into another one. “Can we get another order?”
Hazel smirked. “I can order another plate, or you guys can move on to dessert.”
Jade’s eyes widened as she held up a fry, about to eat it. “Oh my god, do you guys have that caramel cheesecake? That was the most amazing thing I’ve had in my mouth.”
“Oh god, that sounds amazing,” Nora added.
“We do,” Hazel said. “Do you guys want some?”
“Screw the fries, get the cake,” Jade said, finishing her glass of wine. “And another bottle.”
I chuckled, unable to hide my laughter. Hazel poured us more wine and gave each of us a piece of cheesecake. I took a bite into mine when Jade swiveled in her chair. “So, where is your ring?”
I looked down at my hand, and at the finger where I should have a ring. It sat bare because, of course, we weren’tplanning to get married. Westley and I hadn’t even talked about getting rings.
“It kind of happened suddenly. We didn’t even get to finding rings for us. We’re still looking.”
