Chapter Seven
Victoria looked ather reflection, turning this way and that.She was wearing a white lacy skirt that swept the top of the brown cowboy boots she’d had for years, a pink sleeveless top, and a lightweight white sleeved sweater over it.She left her hair down, parted in the middle, and even curled the ends.She added a light coating of makeup, a necklace, and earrings.
She had been looking forward to this for days.She had to admit she wasn’t thrilled to be around a large group of people she didn’t know.But she wanted to spend time with her friend, so she would deal with a little discomfort.
Victoria strode into the bar and stepped off to the side to get her bearings before wading through the people and tables while she tried to find Trisha.The place was packed with people.Even on tiptoe, she couldn’t see over people’s shoulders, so she started to work her way around the room.She had to apologize several times when she bumped into someone.
“There you are,” Trisha yelled off to the side.She reached through a group of people and pulled Victoria next to her.“Ben, this is Victoria.”
Victoria caught her breath, smiled, and held her hand out.“It’s nice to meet you, Ben.And Happy Birthday.”
Trisha snorted beside her.“Do you remember her now, babe?You couldn’t have forgotten that smile.”
Ben laughed.“Yeah, I remember.You were both spastic nymphs that drove me crazy.”
Victoria laughed when Trisha gasped in outrage.
“You’re not remembering right.You were so mean to us,” Trisha said tersely and stomped her foot.
Ben rolled his eyes.“Here we go again.”
Trisha crossed her arms.“Well, you hurt our tender feelings more than once.”She turned to Victoria and nudged her with her elbow.“Right?”
Victoria started to feel a little panicky when both their gazes locked on her.“Ah, um.Let me think.I’m not quite sure...”
Trisha frowned at her.“You wimp.”She twisted her lips and tried to talk out the side of her mouth.“Remember you’re always supposed to take my side,” she said in an exaggerated whisper that people a foot away heard.
“Yes, you’re right.”She turned to Trisha’s husband and tried not to smile.“She’s right.”
His eyebrows came down into a scowl.“Now, that’s not fair to gang up on me.It’s two to one here, and it’s my birthday.”
Victoria laughed at Ben trying to pout.He wasn’t good at it at all and turned back to Trisha.
“He’s right, Ishy.”
Trisha snorted and rolled her eyes.“You can’t take both sides, Icky.”
Ben threw back his head and laughed.“I forgot about the weird nicknames you gave each other.”
Trisha rolled her eyes again before she scowled at her husband.“Ben, this might be a good time to go and get us a couple of beers.”She turned to Victoria.“Beer okay with you?”
“Yes, that’s fine.Thank you.”Victoria watched a little enviously as Ben bent and gave his wife a hard kiss and whispered his love for her before moving off.
“While he does that, I’ll introduce you to people.”She twined her arm through Victoria’s.“And I bet we can find you a friend to play with, if you know what I mean.”
Victoria sputtered out a laugh.“I know exactly what you mean, and I don’t have any time for a relationship.”
Trisha wiggled her eyebrows up and down.“Who said anything about a relationship?”
Victoria looked up at her suspiciously.“Oh, Lord.You’re going to get us into trouble again, aren’t you?”
Trisha gasped and pressed her hand to her chest, her expression one of mock innocence.“Are you talking about me?”
Victoria chuckled.“You know very well I’m talking about you.Your husband must be pretty energetic to keep up with you.”
A beer came over Victoria’s shoulder.
“You have no idea,” Ben said behind her.
