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Noah pulled back leaving a quick kiss on my lips and then my cheek as if he also knew this wasn’t going in the direction either of us hoped it would. Lawd, the man was sweet like a vanilla cupcake, even for a self-declared he-ho.
We both sighed deeply and then hugged each other tightly.
“I wish I could say we were on the same page, but I have a feeling I’d be deluding myself.” He kindly pushed back a lock of my hair.
Wincing, I brushed my hand through his short hair. Our eyes met and I said what I needed to as gently as possible. “I’m sorry, Noah. I feel like I’d be a real shit to drag this out when I think we both know it wouldn’t go where we want it too.”
Noah pulled away holding me at arm’s length. “I get it. I think. But mostly, I appreciate how honest you are.”
“Really, this isn’t a you thing. I promise.”
Noah gave a chuckle I hadn’t expected. “I think my ego is safe. Bruised, but okay.” He kissed my cheek again, friendly and sweet. He’d be a great guy for the right girl, just not this girl who couldn’t stop thinking about another girl. Ugh. That would be messy and dramatic so I kept that information to myself for right now.
“How about we drink and dance and forget the whole romance thing.” I needed a night out, maybe not one that ended in sex and happily ever afters but a connection with someone who was decent and good.
“I’m on board with that.” Noah tugged me out onto the dance floor spinning me around. It was the most fun I’d had in a good long while and I needed it because tomorrow it would be back to baking hangover or not.
7
Louisa
“Get in bit…beautiful girls.” Tommy has the car idling as I slipped into the front passenger seat. “Man, I’ve always wanted to say that.” He chuckled. Both Gemma and I give him a dirty look. We know he doesn’t mean it disrespectfully. He thinks he’s being funny. This is what happens when you work with your brother and live next door to him in a duplex. We’ve always been close, but at least our parents live across town and travel for work.
“Ugh, this old thing.” Gemma tosses her bag in the bag seat sliding in.
He still drives his beloved manual silver Honda Civic from high school. It’s a bit of a death trap considering he prefers his road bike to get around town. One of these days, I’m going to pay someone to take this car to the junkyard and see how long it takes for him notice. For now it’ll get us to the club over the river and home again with my fingers crossed, and a roll of duct tape in the trunk in case it doesn’t.
“Drive the car and the shut up.” I pulled down the visor so I could use the mirror to reapply my bright pink lipstick. I smudge my eyeliner into a smokier look as Gemma grumbles in the back putting her seatbelt on.
“We haven’t been out in ages, the three of us.” Gemma pipes up from the backseat. She’s right. Between the shop, wedding season makeup and hair, we haven’t been out to do anything fun. In fact, the last time we were out together it was a group of four. Sydney was with us and the night started out fine until it wasn’t. I pushed the thought away. I wasn’t about to ruin tonight on old stuff that didn’t matter.
“Did you ladies pregame without me?” T
ommy drove the car and Gemma pulled out a small flask from her purse.
“Someone did.” I thumbed to the back seat.
“It’s like you two don’t even know me at all.” Gemma snuck a sip before passing the flask to me. I snuck a sip and then handed it back to her.
“Gross, bad vodka.” I choked it down wheezing for my next breath.
Tommy laughs at us shaking his head.
“Cheap vodka. Those biddies are poor tippers on a fixed income. You know how much baby powder smelling hair I had to wash to buy a jug of this?” Gemma groans putting it away in her purse that looked large enough to hold a sink inside it.
“Ugh, please. First round is on me.” I knew Tommy wouldn’t sneak a sip while driving. He was a good brother like that.
Twenty minutes later and we pulled into one of our favorite places. The Speakeasy Sam was a little dance club in Poughkeepsie that catered to the mid-twenties to forties crowd. The bar poured generous drinks and the neighborhood was safe to park a car. A few other bars with live music were nearby, but this one was our favorite.
“So, if I meet the man of my dreams, ya’ll are gonna leave me be and let me work my magic.” Gemma instructed us weaving on her black high-heeled booties and slinging her closet-purse over her shoulder.
Tommy leaned in muttering, “Why did we bring her again?”
“I heard that, Thomas Willam Cox!” Gemma bellowed.
“I can’t figure out why the two of you haven’t hooked up already, but you don’t hear me going on about it.” I stood there, arms crossed wondering if they would respond to my comment at all. Typically they ignored me.
“Bad sister.” Tommy walked inside ignoring me as I predicted.
