Chapter 3
CHAPTER
THREE
Gianna
“Have I ever told you two how much I appreciate that you’re not completely unhinged?” I slide into my usual seat beside Audrey. “Because if I haven’t, let me do it now.”
“Bad day?” Astrid asks from across the table.
I plunk my tote next to her purse on the empty chair to my left.
“No, I had a great day, actually, and we can get into that later. But I’ve just spent an hour and a half haggling with a woman online about the price of an old coat tree.
I need a stiff drink.” I sigh. “A stiff cock wouldn’t hurt, either. ”
Audrey’s cheeks match the color of her blush-pink cardigan.
I settle in my seat, attempting to let go of the stress saddling my shoulders, and listen to their banter about the music playing overhead.
It’s opera, so I have nothing to add to the conversation.
The only music I understand usually includes cowboy boots.
When we first discovered Stupey’s, I found their switch to opera music in the evenings to be a bit disturbing.
Like … what the heck? Now, though, I kind of like it.
I pretend I’m the main character in an action movie and the bad guys are about to come in … and I save the day.
Naturally.
Kim, our favorite server, slides up to the table and hands me a fruit-laden sangria. “Hey, Gianna! The girls said you were coming, so I figured you’d want your usual.”
“You know me so well,” I say, taking the drink from her.
“Sorry that this took a second, Astrid,” Kim says, handing her a beer. “Do you mind if I come back and get your order? I have a table being a giant pain in my ass, and they’re over there signaling for me again.”
“Go do what you need to do,” Audrey says. “We’re just catching up. We’re in no rush.”
Kim’s shoulders sag. “Thank you. I’ll be right back.”
“A beer?” I point a freshly manicured nail at Astrid as Kim scurries away. “Are you kidding me right now?”
“Shut up,” she says, taking a sip.
“You’ve spent far too much time in Sugar Creek if you’re ordering a beer,” I joke. “The next thing you know, you’ll be hunting wild game for dinner.”
“I can’t help it. It’s all the guys drink on the ranch, and it’s the only thing the bar in Sugar Creek always has in stock. I love it out of necessity.”
Astrid happily munches on a piece of bread like she hasn’t a care in the world. Funny what a good dick can do for a girl.
Her relationship with rugby pro Gray Adler has been an interesting study—and it proves my theory on love.
They utterly despised each other when they first met.
I actually considered that I might have to bail Astrid out of jail a few times.
It got so bad that I even threatened the guy with a Taser while sitting in this exact chair, coincidentally.
But somewhere down the line, they worked through their differences—and they chose to commit.
They weren’t sprinkled with fairy dust that turned their pupils into flashing hearts. They decided to love each other.
If more people realized that was how this works, the world would be a better place.
“Are you still liking it on the ranch?” Audrey asks.
“We finally got settled in the cabin on Wednesday,” Astrid says. “Now I’m trying to get my home office set up, ignore the revolving door of people coming in and out every day, and learn how to deal with the locals.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, sipping my drink. The wine is perfectly mellowed by the sweetness of the strawberries and the zing of the citrus fruit. It’s liquid happiness.
“Oh, just that there are expectations in Sugar Creek. There are town hall meetings and charity events that require your presence. If someone dies, you contribute to a flower fund by adding dollars to an envelope that a kid on a bike passes around.” She flinches as if this still hasn’t fully processed in her brain.
“If you go to the farmers’ market once, you must then go every week.
If not, someone will come knocking on your door with soup, assuming you’re sick. Ask me how I know.”
I laugh at the look on Astrid’s freckled face.
She sighs with a smile. “But, yes, Auddie. I’m still liking it there. I’m really, really happy. It’s a different way of life—slower and quieter. But I love it, and I think I’ll miss it when we come back to Nashville when the rugby season starts in January.”
“I love this for you,” Audrey says. “Gianna and I would love to come visit you.”
“As soon as I get settled, I’m having you come out for a weekend,” Astrid says, grinning. “We’ll go line dancing and play with the chickens. It’ll be fun.”
We’ve officially lost Astrid to a life of chickens and flannel. It was good while it lasted.
“How’s the new house?” Audrey asks. “Did you finally decide what mural you’re going to paint in the sun room?”
“Hear me out …” I laugh as Audrey and Astrid exchange a look.
“I saw this thing online a couple of days ago, where you take pennies and lay them over the floor and then cover it in a clear epoxy. It’s so gorgeous, and it fits my aesthetic because no one uses pennies anymore …
although I don’t know if it’s legal to use pennies like that.
” I start to think that through, then stop myself.
“I just don’t know how to find that many pennies. ”
Astrid shrugs. “If anyone can find them, you will.”
“Damn right,” I say as Kim arrives at the table. I make my order quickly. As my friends decide what they want to eat, I check my texts.
Francine: It’s a go on Mercy! Finalized it a few minutes ago.
My fingers fly across the keys as I bite back a yelp of excitement.
Me: OMG. Can I tease it?
Francine: Yes. Let’s not give out her name and just hype up that someone very cool will be joining you on Friday. That should push our live stream numbers, and then we’ll get a surge in playbacks once word gets out that it was Mercy.
Me: I’m just … Thank you for making this happen!
Francine: It wasn’t me. It was teamwork. Now go celebrate.
I glance up, but Audrey is trading book recommendations with Astrid and Kim. So I hop to my Social account, find a suitable picture of me looking like I have a secret, and type out a caption.
@giannaknowsthingspod: I know something you don’t know … but I’ll share it with you. Soon.
Almost immediately, my notifications pop off.
The number climbs higher and higher. My inbox number grows until the count maxes out, and my text alerts ping my phone.
I could sit in this moment and absorb this reaction forever.
But before I close my screen, I notice one comment that piques my interest.
@drakestakepod: The options with you are endless.
I laugh to myself, imagining the little grin cracking his cheeks and the tease in his voice if he were saying this aloud. I give his comment a heart and then respond.
@giannaknowsthingspod: I like to keep things interesting.
@drakestakepod: I don’t think you need to try so hard.
@giannaknowsthingspod: Can’t help it. It just comes naturally.
The replies to our exchange are a wildfire, an assault of marriage proposals to Drake, and a nice mixture of comments to me suggesting that I’m either the greatest podcaster ever or that I should off myself for daring to breathe.
But then there are the other, far more entertaining comments suggesting that Drake and I have dated, are dating, or should date. Gotta love social media.
Kim is gone when I lift my gaze to my friends. Astrid and Audrey are engaged in a conversation that has Audrey biting her lip. I set my phone face down on the table and lock in.
“I agreed to teach a couple of online philosophy classes next semester,” she says. “I hope it’s enough to get my juices flowing again.”
“I’ve told you,” I say, smirking. “I know people who could have your juices flowing in ten minutes tops.”
Astrid stifles a laugh as Audrey looks slightly horrified.
In some respects, it’s altogether amazing that Audrey has reached the age of twenty-seven without being sullied.
She has been friends with Astrid and me since high school, after all.
But Audrey has held tight to her convictions.
As much as I tease her about introducing her to the wilder side of life, namely, enjoying a sex life without feeling guilt or remorse, I respect her choices.
I’d probably die if she ever took me up on one of my offers.
But that doesn’t mean that I don’t try—especially because Audrey has seemed a bit down since the beginning of summer.
She spent months finding ways to hang out around “her crush” and had finally talked herself into shooting her shot …
only to discover that he’s engaged. I’m still heartbroken for her.
“I’m joking, but I’m also not,” I say. “Maybe it’s time to throw a little caution to the wind, Auddie. Let your hair down. Have some fun.”
“While I appreciate your concern, I’m not sure our definitions of fun in this context match very well,” she says sweetly.
“Maybe not. But I don’t think we’re as far apart as you might think.”
Astrid groans. “I can’t wait to see where you’re taking this one, Gianna.”
“Patience, grasshopper,” I say, laughing before returning my focus to Audrey. “Isn’t it true that Socrates believed that the more you know, the better choices you can make to find true happiness?”
“Yes,” she says, curiosity thick in her tone. “How do you know that?”
I throw up my hands. “Why does everyone today seem surprised that I have smart friends?”
“Gianna must be fucking a philosopher,” Astrid whispers to Audrey just loud enough for me to hear.
“Fucking a philosopher?” I gasp. “I would never. Take that back. No offense, Auddie. Your philosophy doctorate is super hot. I’m just not sure it would be on a guy. I mean, the only visuals we get of that sort of thing are busts of serious-looking men with no glasses.”
Astrid shakes her head, grinning.
“Glasses would help.” I shrug. “Think about it.”