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Tess glanced up at Alanna. The lost puppy look in her hazel eyes softened something deep in Alanna’s soul. Well, it wasn’t like she was exactly a stranger to bad decisioning while under the influence either.
“We can make this work,” Alanna assured the smaller woman. She stepped up to the breakfast counter and reached for the closest bottle of wine. A pinot grigio from The Rose and Thorn. See? Things were already looking up.
Alanna glanced around. “Wine glasses?”
The other woman bit her lip. “I’ve got plastic cups,” Tess said, scurrying to the kitchen.
It was at this exact moment Alanna realized they weren’t alone in the house. She caught a flicker of movement and almost dropped the bottle of wine.
“Holy fuck!” The words popped unbidden from her mouth. A young woman stood in the corner of the living room, her black hair hanging like curtains on either side of her face. Had she been there the entire time? No, impossible. How could Alanna have missed her in a room occupied only by a lawn chair, laundry basket, and sadpocalypse airplane model?
“That’s Willow,” Tess said, handing a red solo cup over the counter. “She arrived a few minutes before you.”
Did she rise up through the floorboards?Alanna wanted to ask. Seriously, if the girl had transformed into a bat and dive-bombed at her face, Alanna wouldn’t have been surprised.
“Hi,” Willow said, the word barely audible. If possible, she stepped even further back into the shadows.
“Uh, sorry. I didn’t see you there,” Alanna managed.
“I understand,” Willow replied. It was hard to tell her age. Late teens, early 20s? Possibly a few centuries?
Tess magically produced a corkscrew and Alanna opened the bottle and quickly filled her cup.Ahhhhh.The first sip danced across her tongue, semi-sweet with notes of honeysuckle. The Rose and Thorn never disappointed.
The doorbell rang. Tess bit her lip and seemed to give herself a silent pep talk before moving to the front door and pulling it open.
“HELLLLLLLLO, Crazy Cat Ladies!” A tall, curvy woman sashayed into the room before Tess could offer a greeting.
Alanna took another sip of wine and leaned an elbow on the breakfast bar as she studied the new arrival. The woman wore a flowing yellow skirt matched with an orange tank top that proudly boastedI’d push you in front of zombies to save my cat. Long cat silhouette earrings dangled from each earlobe, and a neon green headband pushed back the woman’s short afro. The canvas tote bag hanging from the crook of her elbow announcedMy cat is smarter than your honor roll kid.
Yes, this one was promising. Very promising.
“Hi everyone, my name is Everly, and I brought…” her words caught in her throat as she took in the room. “…brownies.” She swiveled around to Tess, both eyebrows raised. “Well, this ought to be a good story.”
Alanna stepped up, holding out the wine bottle. “This might help.”
Everly immediately brightened. “Yes it will.” She reached for the bottle. “SHIT!” She actually jumped as her eyes landed on Willow in the corner. Her gaze darted between Alanna and Tess. “Do you all see her, too?” she hissed.
“I’m Willow,” the young woman said softly.
Hi, Willow, nice to meet you.” Everly’s loud, slow words betrayed a slight quiver. “Gimme that.” She swiped the wine bottle from Alanna’s hand.
The doorbell rang again. Tess gamely pulled it open.
“Hi, I’m so excited to be here,” chirped a voice on the other side.
Oh no.
No, no, no, no, no.
Not her. Anyone but—
“I’m Layla Sandoval. Your post was so charming, and—”
“Layla!” Everly bellowed. “Get your adorable ass in here!”
“Everly, hi!” Layla squeaked as she stepped into the room. She wore a purple sundress and jean jacket combo with purple strappy sandals and a shimmery purple headband.
Alanna edged toward the window. Could she dive out before Layla noticed her? But what about the glass of wine in her hand? It’d be a shame to waste such good vino. That pause of indecision was her downfall.
