Chapter 18 #2
Guilt washes over me, because yes, I have been hiding from her.
Not hiding, per se, but keeping my distance.
I’ve been able to adjust my hours enough to allow for more breaks, but with that came a longer workday.
At least for now. Starting in about two weeks, I will cut back on the number of clients I see in a day so I can leave about the same time, if not a little before normal.
That keeps me busy, because I know when I’m around my family and friends, I’ll be more likely to blurt out my news, unable to keep the secret any longer.
“Of course not,” I reply, giving her a big, fake smile. “Work picked up.”
“Not a bad thing,” she replies. “What can I get you?”
I glance at the board with tonight’s drink specials. Not only does she have a few alcoholic drinks, but she offers a variety of non-alcoholic drinks as well, and that’s where my attention is drawn.
“Umm, I think I’ll try the Not Your Mama’s Shirley Temple.”
She gives me a look, clearly surprised by my request. “Umm, do you want me to add vodka or something?”
“No,” I reply with a chuckle. “I’ve been a little under the weather, so no alcohol for me tonight. I just want to paint and hang out with my girls.”
She beams widely at me. “I’m so excited. Collin has the bar, so I get to paint tonight.”
“That’s because my brother is a sucker and worships the ground you walk on.”
She blushes. “Don’t I know it. Anyway, let me make that drink for you. It’s blended like a float, is that okay?”
I nod eagerly. “Do your worst.”
She grabs the blender and sets out to mix ice, Sprite, grenadine, and vanilla ice cream.
My mouth waters as she pours the drink into a frozen mug, stabbing three maraschino cherries with a pick and setting it across the top.
But before she hands over my drink, she drizzles a bit of the cherry juice over the top and adds a squirt of whipped cream from a can.
“Voila!” she announces as she sets the mug in front of me.
“Holy shitballs, Lizzie, that looks amazing.”
“Tastes pretty dang good too,” she adds with a wink and a grin.
“Start me a tab?”
“You got it. Go ahead and grab your seat at the long table in the back. I reserved it for us, Sommer, Allison, and Oaklee.”
“Sounds good,” I reply, waving to my brother, who is pouring drinks at the opposite end of the bar.
I just get seated in front of an easel when the door opens and Oaklee and Cade step inside.
They move to the bar, where Oaklee orders something off the specialty menu, while Cade places a possessive hand on her lower back.
As Lizzie makes her drink, they cuddle into each other, her fitting comfortably at his side.
A deep pull of longing starts in my stomach and settles in my chest. My older brothers have found what my parents have, and while I’m completely happy for them, I can’t help but wonder if that’ll happen to me.
An image of Quinn pops into my head, but I quickly push it aside.
That’s not what we have, not what we’ll ever be.
“Hey,” Oaklee greets as she heads my way.
I look up and smile, standing up to give my friend a hug. “Don’t look now, but there’s some creep at the bar staring at you,” I whisper in her ear.
Oaklee glances over her shoulder and smiles. “He’s always watching me.”
“Because he loves you,” I say as she takes the seat beside me.
“Oh, what’s in your glass?” she asks, reaching over and taking a sip before I can stop her. She makes a face. “Is that like an ice cream float?”
I nod. “The Shirley Temple drink.”
“You’re not drinking tonight? Cade said he’d be our DD.”
“No,” I reply with a chuckle. “I wasn’t feeling so hot earlier. Thought I’d just stick to girl time with you all tonight.”
I can almost see the nurse wheels in her head going to work, piecing together the nuggets of info I’ve shared.
Fortunately, I’m saved from having to answer whatever questions she’s about to hurl at me by the arrival of the rest of our friends. Sommer and Allison enter at the same time, and once Lizzie gets their drinks, she makes one for herself and joins us.
“Don’t forget to make a plate of food before we get started,” she says.
I do just that, needing something in my stomach. “I’m not shy. I’ll start the food line,” I announce, heading for the food table.
Lizzie always makes the most delicious appetizers for her paint nights, and there’s always plenty of food. She feeds the regulars at the bar, as well as other patrons who may stop by for a drink or two.
As I’m filling up a small plate with meatballs, cheese dip and pretzels, and fruit, I hear, “Grab some extra kiwi. It’s good for the baby.”
A shiver slides down my spine at not only the words he’s speaking, but at the nearness of his mouth to my ear. “You’re not the boss of me,” I whisper, praying I don’t sound as breathless as I feel.
He steps to my left yet stays very close as he reaches for a plate. “If you say so, sweetheart. I do remember a time or two where you enjoyed my bossiness.”
My cheeks flame as I grab random food and throw it on my plate. “What are you doing here?” I ask tersely.
“Came to have a drink with my oldest friend,” he replies casually.
“Mmhmm,” I mutter, turning around and facing the bar.
“And maybe wanting to keep an eye on my baby mama. She has become pretty important to me,” he says, but before I can reply, I notice Camden making his way toward us.
“Hey, Charli,” he greets, bending over and kissing my cheek.
“Hello, little bother.”
He clears his throat. “It’s brother.”
“If you say so,” I singsong. “I better get back to my seat. I’m about to tear up that sunset painting in a few minutes. Lizzie will probably want me to teach a class soon.”
Camden snorts. “I’ve seen your work, Picasso. Don’t quit your day job.”
I walk away, feeling Quinn’s eyes on me with each step I take. And yes, I add a little extra swing to my hips as I retreat.
“Oh, that looks delicious,” Sommer says, reaching in for a slice of kiwi and getting her hand smacked. “Ouch!”
“Get your own food, woman.”
Lizzie looks around with a smile, but it quickly falls away. “Wait, we have an extra chair at our table. I set this for five.”
I fight a smile just as the door opens. “I’m here!”
Lizzie gasps and flies up from her seat, making a mad dash for her sister, Emberlyn. “What are you doing?” she asks.
Em laughs, giving her a fierce hug. “I decided to drop in for a little sister time. I’m painting with you.”
You can tell Lizzie’s struggling to keep up, because her face falls. “We’re full, but you can take my spot,” she says, leading her eighteen-year-old sister toward our table.
“You silly goose, I’m Jane Dough!”
“What?”
Em rolls her eyes. “I had Collin add me to the list as soon as it went live. You’re looking at Miss Jane Dough.”
We all laugh as Lizzie finally catches on. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“And staying the night upstairs,” Em says, dropping down onto the sixth chair.
Lizzie’s eyes are filled with tears. I know she’s missed her sister this past year, especially since she’s been away at college. Having her sister surprise her was just what the doctor ordered. “Hold on,” she says, spinning around and running off.
We all turn to watch as she races behind the bar and throws herself into Collin’s waiting arms. He plants a huge kiss on her lips as the whole bar cheers. “Gross,” I mutter, goodheartedly.
When she returns, she’s grinning from ear to ear. “Come on, ladies. Let’s paint.”