Chapter 17
“He invited you to his house for a cookout!” Casey squealed, causing several people to turn and look at them at the bar. Not that Casey noticed or cared.
They were out for their normal Friday night drinks. June had tried putting off the conversation, but the girls had hounded her as soon as she’d sat down. She hadn’t even ordered her drink yet before they were demanding how asking him out had gone.
“All of his friends and their girlfriends will be there.” It wasn’t exactly the date she had been planning on, but what could she have said? No, I don’t want to meet your friends; I’d rather we have dinner alone together.
“That’s so exciting. I mean, meeting his friends is a big deal,” Karla pointed out.
It was, but she wanted something different. Something more. Maybe it was selfish of her, but perhaps this was an opening. Hey, a girl could hope.
“You wanted to hang out with him outside of a working environment. This is your chance,” Sue tried reasoning.
“It is, and I know it’s a big deal. We haven’t even talked about hanging out outside of working together.” They had texted in between sessions about how the other was doing, but she wouldn’t say it was headed into the romance department.
“Sometimes it takes friends to point out what’s right in front of them.”
“You know what this means: Shopping,” Casey squealed again.
“No, no shopping. I have plenty of clothes to wear to this thing.” Rob hadn’t noticed any of her other wardrobe choices. Why spend the money to impress someone who wasn’t looking?
“Fine,” Casey pouted, then her eyes lit up as a thought must have struck.
That was terrifying sometimes. “I know the perfect outfit. What time is the cookout?” Casey was practically bouncing in her seat.
She loved dressing up and doing makeup. June was much more of a homebody, but she allowed herself to play guinea pig to Casey from time to time.
“Four.”
“Plenty of time to get this Cinderella ready for her debut.”
Okay, not how the reference went, but she’d let it go. “I wish you guys could go to this thing. I’d feel better knowing more than one person there.” June didn’t mind crowds, but it would ease her nerves if she knew someone other than Rob there.
“You’ll be fine,” Sue assured her, placing a comforting hand over hers on the bar top. “Though if it gets too awkward, you can call one of us, and we’ll crash the party.” June knew they would too.
“I know it will be fine; I’m just nervous. What if his friends don’t like me?” She knew her fears were unjust. Rob was a great guy; there was no reason to think he hung around mean people, but that didn’t mean she would necessarily get along with everyone.
“Who couldn’t love you?” Sue reared back in outrage.
Rob, she thought instantly.
“Maybe he has a hot friend, and you’ll fall in love with him and forget all about Rob.” Casey grinned as she wagged her eyebrows up and down.
“You’ve read too many romance novels.” June smiled, appreciating the sentiment but knowing that was unlikely. She cared for Rob. She loved being with him.
“There’s no such thing,” Casey responded in all seriousness.
It was funny to think Casey was the most outgoing with finding her next conquest, and yet, she still believed in love.
“So now that you’re hanging out with his friends, when do we get to meet him?”
“I don’t know. Let’s see how tomorrow goes first. Like I said, his friends may hate me and warn him to stay away.”
“You’re worrying for nothing. They’re going to love you. Now enough worrying, let’s order some drinks. We have some celebrating to do. June is on the path to having sex.” Casey nodded confidently as she raised her hand and looked around the bar for a waiter.
June shook her head in denial, not that Casey was looking at her. How June wished that were true.
Sue gave her a hopeful look. What did she have to lose?