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“Gets me through the day,” she said as we waited to pay. “I like yours, too. Though you could have done the tips if you wanted a longer nail effect.”
“Nah,” I said, looking at mine. “They’re about the right length that I don’t break them on everything.”
“Fair.”
I made sure to add a tip for the lady who did my hands and one for the lady who did my feet. Maria and Cheryl were almost done, but Rachel and I headed outside.
The parade goers were going to be in luck. It was one of those rare, perfect days. Sunny, but not hot. The air was cooler, and the breeze comfortable. The humidity wasn’t an issue either.
Maybe whatever Carol did to my hair would last the evening. That would be fun.
“You doing all right, still?” Rachel asked as she leaned against her car. The sun hit her darker brown hair and revealed red highlights.
“I’m good,” I said after a long moment. “I thought today would feel weird, you know…”
“Because of the breaking up thing?” She cut a glance toward the front of the nail place, but we were outside.
I nodded. “And it is weird, but not because of that. I mean…I’m nervous, and I’m not.”
“Well, glad you have that nailed down.” Her chuckle had me shaking my head.
“I mean, we’re going all together, so—it’ll just be us, the group.”
“And Bubba is riding with y’all, too?” She raised some skeptical eyebrows.
“He asked, and Coop and Jake mentioned he wanted to. He also offered to make his own way if I wasn’t comfortable with it.”
“Aww, so sweet.” Her tone suggested anything but… “How much groveling has he done to get back into your good graces?”
“Rach—we’re friends. That’s what I’m focusing on.”
She shook her head. “That boy doesn’t want to just be friends with you.”
“Well, that was what he said,” I reminded her. Before I broke up with him, he was already backing off.
“Well, he’s an idiot.”
I grinned. “You know, they aren’t all bad.”
“Nope, I don’t know that,” she countered. “I don’t think any of them are good enough for you, but I’m biased.”
“You do realize that by the nature of this conversation, I’m going to have to give your date the stink-eye all evening, especially if I don’t think she’s good enough.”
It was Rachel’s turn to laugh. “I’d pay to see you give someone the stink-eye, but that said, you are entitled to your opinion. Just like I’m entitled to mine.”
“Good deal.”
Cheryl and Maria exited together, though Cheryl remained glued to her phone.
“Cheryl,” Rachel said easily, pulling the other girl’s attention. “We’ve discussed walking and texting. You need to see where you’re going.”
“Ha,” Cheryl countered. “I’m just letting Mitch know I’m heading downtown to grab a parade spot, then hair and make-up. He wants me ready early so we can go out to eat first. Especially since Mom is going to want a thousand pictures, especially with the mum she was making me. Not that I plan to eat anything.”
“Food might be a good idea. They never serve anything at the dance but drinks.” Even then it was bottled water or canned soda.
“If I eat anything, it will give me food baby belly and ruin the lines of my dress. I’d rather starve.” Cheryl shot me a grin, then gave me a hug. Okay, I was getting used to Ms. Spontaneity. “Thanks for coming this morning, I can’t wait until everyone sees the gorgeous dress you picked out.”
“Me too,” Rachel said. “I bet you look even better than you did in that picture. Meow.”
