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“No, I’m fine.” She sipped her beer slowly.
“So, what do you think of Castleton?” Paige asked, leaning over to speak to Alivia.
“Oh, yeah, it’s great. A lot different than the city, but I’m really enjoying it. You can hear yourself think here,” she said.
“Are you planning on sticking around, or just during the summer season?” That question came from Em.
She looked down at the table. “Not sure right now. Still feeling things out. But I’m happy here for now.”
So she wasn’t going to be sticking around. That didn’t surprise me. She just didn’t seem like someone who would stay in Castleton long-term. She didn’t fit.
My friends grilled Alivia a little bit more and I couldn’t say a damn thing. She shifted in her chair next to me and I leaned as far away from her as I could.
“Well, I should get going,” she said, moving her empty bottle back and forth on the table. “Thanks so much for inviting me to join you,” she said.
I was grateful when she was gone, but her absence left me feeling…weird.
Really weird.
* * *
We closed out the bar that night and all stumbled our way home, or, if that was too far, headed for Linley’s guest room. Em came back with Natalie to our place, and Paige and Esme went to Linley’s.
In the morning (more like late morning), we all convened at Linley’s for hangover brunch. Linley’s parents dropped by with egg, cheese, and bacon croissants, coffee, fried potatoes, and green smoothies that we were too nauseated to drink.
“How was Gray’s night?” I asked Linley as she smiled at her phone.
“He had a wild time. A brewery tour and then trivia night at the pub before crashing in a pile at his friend’s house. He’s very cute and very hungover.” She showed us a picture, Gray with his hair all over the place and his glasses askew, smiling in a dorky way.
“Me too,” Paige groaned.
“Poor baby,” Esme said, kissing her forehead. “I told you to slow down.”
“I know,” Paige said, pouting.
“Have some more coffee,” Linley said, pouring some more in her cup and then adding creamer.
I wasn’t feeling too wrecked, which was great.
Natalie was just slumped on the couch and would moan every now and then as Em tried to get her to eat.
“So, we forgot to do something last night,” Paige said, as she sipped her coffee and cringed. “We have to give you marriage advice.”
Linley raised here eyebrows. “None of you have ever been married.”
“So? We can still give you advice,” Paige said. “Who’s got marriage advice?”
“Too loud,” Natalie moaned.
“Don’t yell, that’s good,” Paige said. “What else? You got anything, babe?” She leaned against Esme.
“Communication is key. And alcohol won’t solve your problems.”
Perfect advice from your neighborhood bartender.
“I would say that you don’t have to have everything in common, but you should be moving in the same direction,” Paige said. So sweet.
“Don’t get wasted,” Natalie said from the couch.
