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6
Jen’s head was pounding. Shots and wine at Cal’s on an empty stomach was a terrible idea. Even with the chips they’d grabbed on the way home. The bottle of wine they shared in Chloe’s probably hadn’t helped.
She popped another paracetamol, washing it down with a glug of water.
‘Still feeling rough, eh?’ Chloe asked, having dropped in after her work ended. She was a barista in town and often called by when her shift finished at three. It was nice to have someone to help close up, and the fact they lived opposite each other sweetened the deal. It was always good to walk home in a pair.
‘I’m never drinking on an empty stomach again,’ Jen groaned.
‘You always say that.’
‘You’re surprisingly chipper.’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘He’s texted you, then?’
‘Yes,’ Chloe said, her face breaking into a toothy grin. ‘We’ve been texting all day.’
‘Told you.’
‘I know, I know. I wanted to commit to the part, but he was just too cute.’
‘Remind me of his name again?’
The shop door opened and the ladies chorused a hello before Chloe turned her attention back to Jen. ‘Ryan.’
‘Ryan, huh?’
‘What does that mean?’ Chloe asked with a confused smirk.
‘Nothing good ever happens with a Ryan.’
‘What?! You can’t dismiss him purely on a name.’
‘It’s true,’ Jen’s customer said, placing a selection of cocktail pouches on the counter. ‘Ryan is a total bad boy name.’
‘You would really forgo this relationship based on his name?’
Jen continued ringing the cocktails through and let the customer take this one. ‘No, of course not. I’m just saying: be wary. I’ve dated plenty of Ryans in my time to know,’ he informed them.
Chloe pulled a face, making it clear she didn’t believe in their misinformed opinions. ‘All this without knowing the guy.’
‘Just saying, Clo, be careful,’ Jen said, popping the pouches in a paper bag. She was winding Chloe up, but it was impossible to know her customer’s motive.
He beeped his card on the machine. ‘At least you know where to come when he breaks your heart,’ he said with a wink. ‘Nothing like a good mojito to drown your sorrows.’
‘I’ll drink to that,’ Jen replied. Her stomach lurched at the thought.
After a quick goodbye, Chloe looked sullen. ‘You really think all Ryans are no good?’
Jen couldn’t help but smile. ‘Course not, you big goof. I mean, look at Ryan Reynolds.’
‘Ah, Ryan Reynolds. Now, there’s a Ryan I would definitely date.’
‘You would date a guy even if his name was Mr Red Flag.’
Chloe opened her mouth to retaliate but was cut off by the door opening again. Annie. This was becoming a daily ritual.
