Chapter 16
Opinion: Girls’ nights keep a woman young at heart.
—Delilah Dune, opinion writer
L yla gave Allison a long hard look as she stood in Lyla’s doorway. “If I was attracted to women, I would try to pick you up tonight.”
Allison looked down at her attire, shifting nervously on her sandaled feet. “Really? I tried on at least five different outfits before settling on this one.”
Lyla had a hard time believing there was an ounce of insecurity inside Allison Wilkerson. “You still look like that popular cheerleader I went to high school with. The guys are going to ignore me and buy you all the drinks. I expect you to share, by the way,” she said with a wink.
Allison shook her head, her red-toned hair bouncing along her shoulders. “You were adorable in high school, you know. You just didn’t flirt with the guys like I did. And look where that got me.” She was referring to her status as a grieving mother and divorcee, who some might say worked for a pyramid scheme.
“Look where not flirting got me,” Lyla pointed out. “We’re in the exact same place. Kind of.” Stepping onto the porch, Lyla pulled the door closed behind her and jingled her car keys. “I’ll drive this time.”
Allison side-eyed her. “You’ve been in the city for a while. Can I trust your skills behind the wheel?”
“I’ve been accused of being a ‘grandma driver.’ ”
Allison snickered as she opened the passenger seat and got in Lyla’s car. “That doesn’t make me feel any better. My grandma has the record for most traffic citations in Echo Cove.”
“Speeding?” Lyla asked as she cranked the engine and put her tiny Subaru into reverse.
“Hitting mailboxes.” Allison hugged her purse against her. “There have been people in Echo who have dived into their own ditches when they saw Grandma Wilkerson coming. Her lemon-yellow Cadillac is hard to miss.”
Lyla found herself laughing along with Allison. “New life goal unlocked. I want to be that old lady one day.”
Allison snorted from laughing so hard. “Me too, actually. I’ll probably inherit her Caddy. Let’s just take turns behind the wheel and keep the tradition.”
“The real-life version of Thelma and Louise.” Lyla felt a momentary twinge of sadness knowing this fantasy they were musing about was just a silly pipedream. Lyla wasn’t in town for long. Whatever friendship she was building with Allison wouldn’t have time to deepen. “No hitting mailboxes for us tonight.”
“Absolutely. I don’t believe in drinking and driving, even when I’m under the legal limit.”
“Travis offered to be our designated driver,” Lyla offered.
“Did he now?” Allison angled her body toward Lyla. “And what did you say?”
“I said no, of course. Tonight is our girls’ night, and I haven’t had one of those in far too long.” Lyla tapped an index finger to her chin. “Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever had an actual girls’ night.” All her friends, starting with Travis, had always been guys. Lyla worked remotely, so she didn’t go to an office or have female coworkers to hang out with. And when she’d dated Joe and had inherited his friends, they all went out as couples. Lyla had never had a female friend to hang out with before. It was nice.
“When your mother suggested I come over and help you out, I wasn’t sure if we would hit it off,” Allison confessed.
Lyla wasn’t sure why her mother never mentioned knowing Allison before. “I’m glad she suggested it.”
“Me too. You are a great friend to have. The rest of my so-called friends could barely be bothered to listen to me cry or complain. At first, they were there, of course. But then, I guess they grew tired of my grief. I can’t say I blame them. I was a bit of a Debbie Downer. Your mom was always there, though. So when she asked me to look after you, I agreed. I had hoped we’d be friends, but even I, the eternal optimist, was skeptical.”
“I’m glad we’re friends,” Lyla said, meaning it. She slowed the car as she came to a stop sign, looked both ways, and continued driving forward. The little bar where they were going wasn’t much farther down the road. “I don’t want Travis as our DD, but we do need a plan for getting home. Maybe I should limit myself to one drink, so that you can have as many as you want. I’ve never been that good at holding my alcohol anyway.”
“Well, that’s not fair,” Allison said. “We should both have as much as we want.”
“We both need to get home safely tonight,” Lyla said. “Speaking of which, we also need a plan for what to do if we meet a guy here. Whether we like him or not, neither of us are separating and leaving with someone. You and I came together and we’re leaving together. And we don’t give out our personal information. We’ll take theirs if we’re interested.”
“Yes, Mom,” Allison said with a giggle. “You’re pretty bossy, you know that?”
“I read an article on dating in your thirties. I thought it might be helpful.”
“You haven’t dated since the breakup?” Allison asked, surprise evident by the lift of her brows.
“I’m not sure I’m emotionally ready. I put a lot of energy into my relationship with my ex. I was planning a future that is suddenly just gone. I think I need to figure out my life on my own before I venture into another relationship. Casual dating might be okay though. And thanks to a recent opinion piece I did, I’ve done my research on going out.” She held up a finger. “Never lose sight of your drink in public places and if you do, get a new drink.”
“Oh, come on, Lyla. You’re back in Echo Cove now.”
Lyla shook her head. “Opinion: One can never be too careful when dating. You and I are playing it safe tonight, okay?”
Allison nodded. “Deal.”
“Good. So about the DD . . .” Lyla continued.
“We’ll call my mama to come get us. I’ll text her right now to be on call.”
“Your mom?” Lyla glanced over. “Did I hear that correctly?”
“She has always been my designated driver, except for the times she came out drinking with me. Then my dad was the DD.”
Lyla chuckled at the thought. “Your parents are so different than mine.”
“You’d be surprised,” Allison argued in a singsong tone of voice. “I’ve been to this same bar with your mother too.”
Lyla covered her ears with her hands. “No. No, I don’t see my mom that way.” Dropping her hands to her side, she shook her head. “That is so weird. I’ve never seen my mom drunk.”
Allison cackled from the passenger seat. “I’d say that’s probably for the best.”
Lyla mentally agreed as she pulled into an open spot in the parking lot of The Drunk Skunk.
Opinion: A place of business should never have the word skunk in it.
She pushed her car door open and stepped out, briefly rethinking her choice of clothes. She was used to staying in and working from home. She wasn’t the most fashionable person. Never had been. In comparison to Allison, she looked like a schoolmarm.
“Stop that.” Allison put her hands on her hips. “You’re being down on yourself. I can tell. You’re gorgeous, and we’re just here for fun, okay?”
“You’re right. And we’re here for drinks,” Lyla said. “Fun and drinks.”
Allison looped her arm in Lyla’s as they stepped through the noisy bar. One might think a place called The Drunk Skunk would stink, but it was actually a nice hole-in-the-wall. A local band was playing in the back of the room. The bar was already half full, but there were still a couple of open stools. “Let’s go say hi to Sam.”
Lyla stopped walking. “Sam Hall?”
Allison gave her a funny look. “He’s the bartender. You knew his dad owned this place, right?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t know Sam worked here. He was top of our class.”
“He’s still a genius, trust me. No one ever said that just because you made good grades in school meant you had to go off to some fancy college and get a fancy degree.” Allison continued walking toward the bar.
Lyla felt a little foolish. Allison was right.
As Allison slid onto a bar stool, she patted the one beside her. “Come on. First drink is on me.”
Lyla took a seat. “I won’t argue. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Here’s hoping some handsome hunk buys your next drink,” Allison said.
“Hunk?” Lyla laughed out loud. “Here’s my unsolicited opinion. If you’re calling guys hunks, then you’re probably too old to be sitting around the bar.”
“Never too old. Your mom came out with me a few times,” she reminded Lyla.
“That one’s still hard to believe. I’ll need pictures.”
Allison laughed loudly, signaling the bartender.
“Hey, ladies.” Sam made his way to stand in front of them. “Lyla, long time no see.”
“Yes, it has been. How are you, Sam?”
He shrugged broad shoulders. “Life is good. I can’t complain. How about you?”
Up close, Lyla noticed that the former class valedictorian had buffed up since high school. He truly had become a hunk. “I’m good,” she said, even though her relationship had failed, she was practically homeless, and she’d possibly be unemployed sometime soon. It was a total lie.
“Great. What kind of drinks would you ladies like to start with?” he asked.
“Dirty martinis,” Allison interjected. “For both of us.”
Lyla looked at Allison. “I’ve never had one of those in my life. I’m not sure I’ll like it.”
“You’ll love it.” Allison looked at Sam and held up her fingers. “Two dirty martinis.”
“Coming right up.” He turned his back and started preparing the drinks.
Allison elbowed Lyla and lowered her voice. “You think he’s cute,” she whispered.
“What?” Lyla shook her head. “No, I don’t. Why would you say that?”
“The way you just acted.” Allison covered a hand to her mouth. “You’re totally blushing.”
“Am not.” Lyla lowered her face, because she could feel that Allison wasn’t lying. Her cheeks were flaming hot. “He’s cute, okay? I admit it. I’ve always thought so. But it’s not an opinion, it’s a fact. I’m sure every woman and a fair share of the men here think he’s a hunk.”
Allison pointed a finger. “You stole my word.”
Sam returned with two drinks. “Two dirty martinis.” He looked between them. “Everything okay?”
“Oh, everything is dandy.” Allison grinned. “We’re having a girls’ night tonight. We’re here to pick up guys. Got any suggestions for Lyla here?” She elbowed Lyla.
Lyla hadn’t felt this level of embarrassment since—well, since high school probably. She felt Sam’s eyes on her.
He leaned forward on his elbows. “I don’t know. What’s your type, Lyla?”
Was it hot in here? “Um, I’m not sure. I don’t think I have a type.”
“Her type is a guy who isn’t a total jerk,” Allison supplied.
Lyla couldn’t refute that. “Yes, that is a requirement for my type these days. No more jerks.”
Sam’s grin spread wide through his cheeks. “I’ll keep that under consideration and let you know if someone comes to mind.” His voice dipped as he spoke.
“You do that.” Allison nudged Lyla again.
Lyla was ready to nudge her friend right off her barstool at this point. She was getting a sore spot in her arm from all of Allison’s poking.
“Let me know when you need another drink,” Sam said. “I’ve got to get to the other patrons.”
Allison saluted him and reached for her drink, waggling her brows at Lyla over her cup. “There’s great potential there.”
“Why don’t you date him then?” Lyla reached for her own drink.
“Been there, done that.”
Lyla’s mouth fell open.
“Not recently. Once, right after high school, when Ernie and I were broken up. It was brief. No big deal. Me and Sam are more friends than anything else. He’s all yours.”
“No, he’s not,” Lyla objected.
“Why? Because you already have your eye on Travis?” Allison took another sip of her drink.
Lyla rolled her eyes. “He and I are just friends.”
“Who spent the night together last night.”
Lyla felt her eyes go round. “You truly are a spy, aren’t you?”
Allison laughed wickedly. “See? This is fun. I love a good girls’ night. It’s been way too long since I’ve had one.” She knocked her drink back again.
Lyla grinned and found her gaze tracking back to Sam as he worked the bar. He was pretty hunky. Maybe she should come here more often while she was staying at her parents’ house.
“Hey, Ly,” a deep voice said.
From her peripheral, Lyla saw someone plop into the stool next to her. Lyla glanced over, shocked to find Travis sitting beside her. “What are you doing here? I told you that you weren’t invited.”
“I don’t need to be invited to come to the local bar.” He looked up as Sam moved over to stand in front of them again. “Hey, bud.”
“Hey, Travis. Crashing the girls’ night?”
“Just getting myself a drink. I’ll have whatever’s on tap.” Travis looked calm and relaxed—unlike Lyla right now.
“Sure thing.” Sam turned his back to make Travis’s drink.
“Not him, Ly. You can do better,” Travis said under his breath. “Sam seems nice, but he wouldn’t treat you right in the long run.”
Lyla wondered how Travis knew or why he cared. “Who said I was interested? And who said anything about the long run?”
“You want a one-night stand?” Travis asked.
Lyla huffed. “What I want is a girls’ night, free from overbearing guy friends.” She gave Travis’s shoulder a gentle shove. “Go. Home.”
“But I haven’t had my beer yet.”
“I’ll drink it myself,” Lyla said. “Go.”
Allison stood and headed over to Travis’s stool. “But before you go, dance with me.”