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Meadow’s departure took another ten minutes while she showed Cill some stretches for her lower back and then she finally left.
“I love your mom,” Nina said.
“Yeah, she’s great. You want something to open that wine, Nina?”
“It’s not going to drink itself.”
Birdie fetched the glasses and corkscrew and carried them to the table where the other two women were seated.
“So, you and Sawyer? Who’d have thought it,” Cill said. “Maybe your mom is onto something there?”
“No me and Sawyer,” Birdie said. “And there never will be.”
“It’s true it’s not a matchup I’d have gone with,” Nina said. “But opposites attract.”
“Not these opposites,” Birdie said.
“I’ve heard he’s good in bed,” Cill said.
“Me too. But then he’s a big man. You know what they say—”
“Okay. We’re done with this topic. There is no me and Sawyer and never will be,” Birdie announced. The thought of that large, hard body in her bed did not make her stomach clench.
“You’re awful touchy about this,” Cill said.
“I’m not. I just don’t want people in this town adding two and two and coming up with three million.”
“You do know the people in this town, right?” Nina said. “Making up versions of what they feel should be truth is their superpower.”
Birdie forced out a laugh.
“Birdie, is everything okay with you?” Cill asked.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”
Both women were studying her intently now.
“If you need a loan or something…?” Nina said.
“I’m fine.” It horrified Birdie that her mom's words made Nina and Cill think she was broke. It was a failing, but she had her pride, and didn’t want anyone to think the McAllisters needed their charity. Once they’d paid the bills and put some money aside for Dad if needed further treatment, she could relax. In say… ten years.
“Mom thinks I work too much. Her and Dad believe money just appears when you need it.” She forced out a laugh. “They’re not really realists.”
“That’s happened a few times in this town to be fair,” Nina said. “Lotto winnings and tax rebates.”
“That’s the truth,” Cill agreed. “But if you need help at any time, you come to one of us or J.D., okay?”
Birdie nodded. She’d been friendly with lots of people for years but never had real friends other than Leah, who’d left town to follow her dream years ago. It was nice to sit here with two women she admired and respected to just talk, even if the conversation was uncomfortable.
“For what it’s worth, Birdie, I think your mother is right about you not being social enough. You work two jobs, and I’ve never seen you out with anyone or after dark.”
“I’m not a vampire, Cill. I go out, plus I work at the Roll Away,” Birdie protested, taking another large mouthful of wine. She wasn’t much of a drinker. Not much of an anything actually. When had she become so dull?
In school, she’d had so many plans but never followed through with any. She could only blame her parents so much for that. Her choice had been to stay here because it was safe. She’d been too scared to leave and fail. Birdie liked safe.
“When?” Nina asked.
“When what?”
