Lisa straightened. “Lives in Pratt permanently? Or are you moving to Connecticut? Who’s going to be this baby’s godmother?”
I laughed as the waitress returned with more shots. “Dylan would never allow me the honor.”
“It isn’t Dylan’s call,” she said stubbornly.
“I am not going to come between you and your husband,” I said slowly. “Ian said he intends to stay here for the time being.”
“But not permanently?” Lisa pouted. “This happened so suddenly. Is he, like, the rebound guy?”
I closed my eyes, picturing the way Ian looked at me, the instant chemistry we’d felt in the market, the easy conversation we’d shared over the last several days. “He’s the real deal.”
“You know how uncomfortable she’s been with all the pressure Kyle’s put on her,” Cassandra said. “You should know better than anyone how controlling he can be. Isn’t that why your sister broke up with him back in the day?”
“I pointed out the same thing,” I said.
Lisa scowled. “Kyle’s different since he’s been with you.”
I reached across the table for Lisa’s hands. “Think about it. He insisted on setting a date, and then when things didn’t go the way he expected, he’s the one who backed out. He wanted to marry me on his terms. It didn’t matter what I thought.”
“You did set a date. That means you wanted to marry him.”
“I did, to get him off my back. That isn’t the way it should be.”
Lisa withdrew her hand and bowed her head. “And this Ian guy is so much better?”
I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face, partially due to the alcohol, I was sure. “So much better.”
“How can you know? You said yourself you only just met him,” Lisa argued.
“Which shows you how much my relationship with Kyle was lacking,” I replied.
The waitress stood poised to take our order. We halted the conversation long enough to comply. When she left, Lisa pounced again.
“What if this is like that woman who turned Kyle’s head last summer? What if Ian changes his mind and ditches you? Then what?”
“First, you might recall Kyle didn’t even remember he had a girlfriend when that woman turned his head. I haven’t forgotten about Kyle, and I haven’t turned my back on him the way he turned his back on me. How many times do I have to remind you? He called off the wedding. He moved out of my house. What am I supposed to do? Beg him to come back?”
“He’s going through stuff,” Lisa said weakly.
“Second,” I went on. “Even if Ian gets tired of me...” My breath caught in my throat. Would he? I didn’t have the best track record with friends of any gender. I composed myself. As Ian had said, what we shared was extraordinary. “That wouldn’t change where my relationship with Kyle stands. He’s done. I’m done.”
“He’s depressed,” Lisa continued. “Once he gets his life back on track everything will be the way it used to be.”
“Without me,” I finished.
“Good for you,” Cassandra said. “Another toast.” We picked up our shots. “Hoes before bros.”
Lisa smirked and I laughed. “I’ll drink to that.”
We ordered crème de menthe for after dinner aperitifs. The wintergreen flavor made me think of Ian. In my less-than-sober state, I couldn’t shake Lisa’s comments that Ian would get tired of me. I excused myself to the bathroom and called him from the hallway.
“There’s my queen,” he said when he answered.
“You aren’t tired of me yet?” I shook my head, my good sense fighting with the amount of alcohol I’d consumed.
“Maybe in about fifty years, but we can reassess then,” he said. “Are you coming over? I hope you don’t think you need an invitation.”
“I’m in no condition to drive, but I’ll see you tomorrow night,” I said, going for a sultry tone. “Which is Ian’s bigger folly? The castle or the woman he’s taken up with?”
“Technically, it’s Edgar’s folly, and meeting you is far from the foolishness you make it seem, unless you’re having a change of heart.” He paused. “Have you been drinking?”
“We’ve been toasting the sale of the business. Me, and Cassandra and Lisa.”
Cassandra bumped into me and giggled. “We’re all paid up,” she said. “Time to go.”
“I’ll call you when I get home,” I told Ian, and disconnected.
Cassandra had ordered a ride-share, and after collecting Ash from the shop, Lisa and I walked the footpaths home.
I thought about Windfall karaoke and those early days with Nora, which prompted me to sing as we walked—or caterwaul as the case may be. I stumbled when Lisa led me from the footpath to my street, giggling as we went.
As I swayed in front of my front door, Kyle stepped onto his porch. “Everything okay?” he called to Lisa.
“I could use a hand,” she replied.
I waved him off. “All good.” I dug through my purse but couldn’t seem to grasp my keyring.
“Here, let me help.” This from Kyle. Suddenly standing beside me. He turned to Lisa. “Dylan told me to have you call him at the fire station when you get home. I can take it from here.”
“I thought I might stay with her,” she said.
I waved a limp hand in the air. “Go home. You don’t need to babysit me.”
“You want me to walk you the rest of the way home?” Kyle asked Lisa.
“I’m more worried about Brynn. She’s pretty wasted.”
“Hello-o-o. I’m right here,” I said.
“Tell you what. I’ll make sure she gets to bed and then I can walk with you,” he said.
“You sure you don’t mind?” Lisa asked.
“Not my first rodeo.” He took my key and unlocked the door. “Let’s get you inside.”
“You guys suck,” I slurred. “I don’t need your help.”
As the alcohol churned its way back up, I covered my mouth and ran for the bathroom.
Having emptied the contents of my stomach,
