Page 21 of The Longest Wait

She narrowed her blue eyes at him. “According to the two freedrinks and business card I received for only being here since eight,I would beg to differ.”

Lucy tucked herself next to Jack. “On tonight’s version of theAlex and Sofia Hate Each Other Show, they debate if she’s ladyenough to attract men.”

“They spar off on who can get the most numbers,” Dominictalked in a gameshow host voice.

While everyone chuckled at the table, Sofia and Alex didn’t stoptheir stare down. Alex was used to Sofia and her take-no-bullshitattitude. Sick thing was, he got off on it. Nothing was better thanruffling Sofia’s feathers.

“Is that a competition?” Alex lifted his lips to a grin.

She flung her dark hair over her shoulder. “It’s ladies’ night.You have an unfair advantage.”

“Thought you said you already had two numbers and a business card?”

Lucy smacked the table three times. “Children, children. We’rejoking. Seriously, you two need to chill out. There is no competition. Jeesh.”

“What is every doing for Valentine’s Day?” Tess asked aboutthe dreaded faux holiday.

Lucy looked as happy as can be when she answered, “Jack andI are taking a long weekend to the Bahamas.”

“Nice—you’ll come back relaxed and tan.” Sofia was thrilledLucy was traveling like she always wanted with Jack. It wasn’t a badidea, Sofia wished she had a travel partner too.

“Nice?” Tess said with confusion. “You made us boycott Valentine’s Day for ten years.”

Lucy nudged Sofia. “Most of our twenties, we spent Valentine’sDay wearing black and doing a bar crawl to appease you.”

The memory brought a smile to her face. She did, in fact, makeher two best friends parade around Philly, denouncing all thingscandy hearts and red roses.

“What exactly is the problem here?” Sofia may not be in thefan club of happily ever after, but she wasn’t demanding everyonehate the holiday. Not anymore. She was happy her friends madeplans. “It isn’t the end of the world that I think it’s nice you andJack are doing something special for Valentine’s Day.”

“Oh no.” Lucy touched Sofia’s forehead, pretending to checkfor a fever. “Something must be wrong.”

Tess joined in. “What are her symptoms?”

This caused them both to laugh. Lucy replied, “She hasn’tscreamed about pink hearts. And she didn’t break out in hives atthe thought of traveling to a romantic island to celebrate.”

Sofia smacked them away. “You two are idiots.”

“What are you doing for Valentine’s Day?” Tess was wishfulshe has plans.

“I will probably finish the beta testing for a website I built fora client. Nothing fancy since you two are locked up.”

Dominic made a face. “My one rule is I hibernate on Valentine’s Day, so I can’t join you on this crawl if you decide to resurrectit this year.”

The conversation at the table was no longer interested in Valentine’s Day. Instead, discussion flowed to work, the Warriors,and every once in a while, the countdown to summer. It was fivemonths away, but snow sucked.

“It is eleven thirty and I have work to do tomorrow,” Lucyannounced as she stood from her chair. “Jack and I are leaving.”

“Or the car turns into a pumpkin,” Sofia teased.

Lucy stuck her tongue out. “Shut it. You wanted a night outASAP and you got it.”

Tess also got up from her seat. “Don’t be mad, but I’m going toleave now too. The wedding preparation is an all-day event. I waspushing it staying out this late.” She turned to hug Sofia.

“Fine,” she said with flare. “Leave me with the boys. What isthe worst that can happen?”

Lucy pointed her finger at Sofia. “Famous last words. You outwith the three of them is probably only trouble.”

“Make that two of them,” Connor added. “I’m exhausted andneed some sleep.”