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Lauryn:Meet me at Silverbacks downtown
Me:See you in 30
I don’t care that it’s snowing out. I need to get the hell out of here and stop wallowing. I don’t even care if she tells me she’s getting married to whatever coworker she’s dating. I need this.
Silverbacks is Silver Breweries’ latest new bar and grill. Taryn’s husband is friends with one of the CEOs of Silver Breweries and their places are always top-notch, high-class breweries. I haven’t been to this newest downtown location, but as I walk in, holy crap. The entire place is remodeled and classy as hell.
Lauryn waves me over and I wave back as I head toward her. I chose black jeans, a red cropped sweater, my black leather jacket, and matching high-heeled boots to accessorize it.
“Damn, you look fierce,” she comments as I sit, eyeing me head to toe.
I’m secretly grateful she’s alone and not with whoever she’s been dating.
“Thanks, girl. You look great, too.” I take in her blue jeans and black zip-up, skin-tight shirt. I see a purple jacket hanging over her chair. Lauryn’s nursing salary affords her all the nice shit. As does mine.
A server comes over and greets me as soon as I sit. She puts a napkin down and then a glass of water. After setting a menu down, she says. “Look that over, we have some specials tonight.”
I glance up into her kind brown eyes and say, “Thank you.”
“I’m Maria. Let me know if you have any questions.”
“Thanks.”
I set the menu down, not interested in food, and say, “Vodka martini, two olives, please.”
“You got it,” she replies, typing into her little handheld device.
“So, how have you been?” Lauryn asks.
“Fucking miserable,” I answer honestly. “What about you?”
Her beautiful smile falls. Lauryn’s one of those lucky bitches with porcelain skin, bright crystal-blue eyes, and warm, dark hair to contrast. Full lips and long, natural eyelashes everyone is jealous of. “What’s wrong?”
“Just missing Eric. It’s not something I need to talk about.”
“Are you sure?” she asks, looking stressed.
“Yeah... we had it good and then we didn’t. He left for Africa to atone for sins he already paid for and left me wondering what happened.”
“I know,” she replies.
This surprises me. “What do you mean,you know?”
Maria sets my vodka martini in front of me, and I thank her before she collects the menu and walks off. I take a sip, waiting for Lauryn to explain.
“You have to understand that what happened when Dr. Andrews was hired in the physical therapy department at the hospital...”
“Eric? What do you mean?”
“Well...” She looks around as if someone is going to hear her. “He got hired... and all—and I mean,all—the nurses, CMTs, clerks, every female, and some males, were drooling over him. Then, he just left. I knew you were dating him, so I told them to back off. Like, hey, he’s got a girlfriend, give a rest,chicas.”
I’m so confused. “Are you serious?”
She nods exuberantly. “Yes! I totally defended you. I know Taryn set you up with him, and I knew y’all were happy, so I kept telling them to back off, he’s taken.” She takes a sip of whatever pink drink she’s got in front of her. Lauryn’s a frou-frou drink type so I imagine it’s probably a raspberry lemon drop, but I don’t ask because I don’t care enough.
“So, what gossip do you have?”
She eyes me warily, then almost stutters out, “This nurse I work with, Mariana... she says Eric’s coming home in December and they’re gonna hook up. That she’s been talking to him while he’s been in Kenya working with kids. She brags about how kindhearted he is and how he’s constantly messaging her, that he can’t wait to get home to see her, and they’re gonna be together.”
