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She giggles and winks, getting to work as I grin like an idiot. I like the idea of looking fabulous when Viper gets home. I want to see his face.
Joey offers me a small smile and waves as Vicky leads me out to the reception area. She and Trish, the receptionist, wave off my credit card.
“Club associates don’t pay.”
My eyebrows almost hit my newly blown-out hair. “Club associates?”
Vicky and Trish share a look, and Vicky shrugs. “You’re practically an old lady.”
Like Shelley is. And Lisa. My heart thumps in my chest. Shit. Is that what he meant when he saidyou’re mine? Oh my god. I need to ask Shelley tomorrow. She’ll know.
“You’re still taking a tip,” I insist, holding out the cash to Vicky. She laughs, pocketing it and winking.
“I will never say no to that, babe.”
Waving them off, I leave, walking slowly back home. I manage not to ruin my hairdo on the way, humming as I move around the kitchen, getting the casserole ready, setting it in the oven, and turning the heat on low. It will simmer away, and I can get the rest of the meal ready when I get back from the water reservoir.
I don’t want to walk, so I call a taxi. His eyes flicker over my denim shorts, tennis shoes, button-down yellow cotton shirt, and my blow-out.
“The reservoir? You sure?”
“Uh, yeah,” I laugh, rolling my eyes. “I’m supposed to be meeting my sister out there. We used to picnic there as kids.”
He nods slowly, pulling away from the curb, his eyes flicking to me in the mirror periodically.
“It’s going to be hot there today. There’s not a lot of shade. Surely you used to picnic in winter?”
“Well, yeah. But we thought it would be nice. You know, for old times’ sake. We don’t talk much these days.”
He nods again, pulling onto the access road out of town into the desert. Sure enough, when he pulls up and I open the door, the scorching desert air blows hot across the desert plain. Even though it’s only the middle of June, it’s already a furnace out there.
My eyes dart around, unsure if this is a prank of Joey’s to trap me out here. But my eyes land on her, and my shoulders sag in relief.
“There she is!”
The driver follows my gaze, relaxing and smiling, accepting my cash. “Don’t stay too long in the heat.”
“We won’t!” I chirp, closing the door and making my way across to Joey. She waves again, gesturing to where she has laid out a blanket, so we don’t bake on the heated concrete. She’s picked a spot at the side of a tank looking out at the desert, so the tank is casting shade over where we’re sitting.
The heat reduction is noticeable and nice as soon as I sink onto the blanket in the shade. Joey drops down, grinning as she plucks up a bottle of scotch out of her purse, unscrewing the cap, taking a swig, and holding it out to me. It’s probably the best plan. I think this conversation might work best if we’re well-lubricated with alcohol.
We watch the heat waves rolling off the desert, obscuring the long line of huge electricity towers stretching to the sandy horizon. I stay silent, waiting for Joey to speak. She asked for this meeting. We should do it on her terms.
We each have about six swings before she speaks, trading the bottle back and forth.
“I hate you,” Joey offers. I glance over at her, my heart sinking. That…isn’t what I was expecting after the tentative smiles. But then again, maybe it’s what we need to clear the air – total honesty. I can work with that. At least she’s trying.
“I know,” I whisper. Joey nods, taking another swig and squinting at the desert.
“I’ve always hated you.”
“I know.”
“Okay, so we’re on the same page.”
I keep my back straight, not letting myself curl inward to protect my heart. This is good. This is progress.
“We are,” I assure her. Joey nods, taking another sip, monopolizing the scotch now.
