Man, I needed that.
“Anywayssss, we need a girls’ night.”
“A girls’ night out?”
“Yes, please! Take me with you.” Charlie pipes up, obviously eavesdropping.
She walks around the half wall, drying her hands on a towel tucked into her apron and giving me an innocent smile that fools absolutely no one.
“See, two against one. Since there’s no way we’ll get a waddling Lexi out of the house with Pierce’s neurotic ass breathing down her neck.”
“Harlow, our husbands were just arrested, and you want to go out drinking?”
“I’m not sure what one has to do with the other here, babes. They’re locked up, but not for long. Why should we do the same at home? You need this. Let’s go out.”
“This is a terrible idea.”
“Yes!” She cheers. “I’ll pick you up tonight at eight, we’re going to Duke’s.”
I groan, shaking my head even though she can’t see. “Duke’s? Really, Harlow?”
“Well, going to the clubhouse will only suffocate our night. We need a new venue. So, Duke’s it is.”
“Fine. I’ll see you at eight. Love ya.”
“Right back attcha, babe.”
My denim skirt rides up as I slide into Harlow’s car, the leather seat warm from the lingering Texas heat even as the sun dips lower in the sky. The air smells faintly of coconut and motor oil, as though she’d been working on her bike before she got ready for tonight. She immediately reaches over to turn the radio down, looking me over before letting out a slow whistle.
“Damn, mama’s still got it.” She winks and hits the gas, speeding down the driveway, kicking up stones that rattle against the underside of her car.
I wasn’t planning on wearing more than a pair of jeans and my favorite boots. But after dropping the kids off at Lexi’s for the night, and the disappointed look she gave me, I started second-guessing myself.
I’m not looking for attention, but dressing up and throwing on a little makeup lifted my mood, exactly like Lexi said. The mascara, the gloss, the way my hair falls just right, it feels like putting a piece of myself back together.
“We need to pick up Charlie, too. She lives off Eldridge.”
“You got it.”
She cranks the music, bass thumping through the car as we speed down the darkening roads, until we pull up in front of Charlie’s small cottage, fifteen minutes later. The porch light flickers slightly, bugs swarming around it in a chaotic dance.
The lively redhead bounces down the walkway from herfront door, rocking a pair of skin-tight leather leggings and a crop top that’s plastered to her chest.
The back door opens, and Charlie topples in, bringing with her a burst of energy. Harlow and I both swing around at the same time to stare her down.
“What? Is my makeup messed up?” She reaches for her small purse, pulling out a compact.
“You look amazing.”
“We’re going to be bothered all night.”
Harlow and I spit out at the same time.
Charlie shakes her wild curls, and they bounce freely, framing her beautiful face, catching the light from the streetlamp outside.
“Well, I’m not looking for attention from anyone tonight. So, they’re going to be disappointed. What I do need is a nice cold spicy margarita and some girl time!”
“Yes, ma’am. Let’s go!”
