AllFreeNovel
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“So,” Amber said as we sat at our table finishing our drinks. “Hank. What does he do now?”
“Police officer. Gardening. A lot of community service—he’s such a good person it actually freaks me out. I don’t know if I want to be with someone who gets mad at me for forgetting to recycle every little thing, or whatever.”
Her eyebrows cocked up. “He sounds a little too nice for you. More like what I’m looking for.”
“He’s too good for me.” I sighed.
Amber pursed her lips. “I’m surprised he’s still single.”
“Me too.”
“I loaded dating apps onto my phone last night,” she said in a flat voice.
“That a girl.”
She swallowed the last of her martini. “You’re a better date than any of the bozos I’ve met online so far. Zach included. He acted like splitting the check with me was a grand gesture of magnanimity.”
“Magnanimity? Say that ten times fast.”
“I’m a doomed romantic. Damnit.” Amber stared up at the ceiling.
“Don’t fall to pieces,” I said. She glared at me. “It might be fate taking care of you. You’re destined for an awesome career, somewhere other than this dinky city. Keep your eye on the money ball.”
“What was that, tough love?”
I stood up. “Love for sure. Come on, your sugar mama is taking you to a bar.”
We met up with Layla’s crowd at a pub-slash-lounge. Her big group sat outside eating burgers at picnic tables. Clint was off to the side, speaking with his ex-girlfriend. My stomach dropped. The drama train was barreling toward me, and I really didn’t want to get on. I waved at Layla and then walked past into the dim bar.
Inside, pool balls clicked and lotto machines dinged. Old-school punk music played on the sound system. Taxidermied rabbit heads, with antlers attached, were hung on the walls. I ordered a whiskey sour for myself, and Amber wanted a gin and tonic.
“I think there’s live music starting upstairs soon,” Amber said. “Want to head up?”
We lucked out and snagged the last open table on the second floor, a tiny round two-seater. We were slightly incongruous with the rest of the crowd, who were dressed in black and leather with spectacular spiked hairdos. I’d gone for my summer dress, sandals, and fedora hat look again. Amber was in a tailored top, designer jeans and heels. She side-eyed me with that tight look on her face that meant she was questioning my sanity. I smiled and sipped my very strong cocktail as the all-female band began a ripping fast set of songs.
Layla texted me that the group was moving on to a club. Itold her we’d catch up. Actually, I’d about decided to call it a night.
“Ready?” I asked Amber, when the punk girls finished their set.
“I am. That was actually a really fun band to watch.”
“Yeah, they were. Hang on, I’m going to buy a T-shirt.”
I bought us a bunch of swag and we made our way down the rickety stairs. Clint was standing at the base, staring at his phone.
Amber smiled at me. “I’m going to find the restroom. Be right back.”
“There you are,” Clint said as I walked up to him.
“Hi. I thought you were all already at the club.”
“Everyone else left, except my buddy Marcus. There’s a nicer club around the corner we should go to. What do you think?”
I studied his face. “You’re trying to avoid your ex, aren’t you?”
He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “She isn’t who I want to see. I hate drama.”
“Is Marcus avoiding an ex too?”
