tonight? I asked, and she initially said yes. But it seems her feet have gotten cold. I’ve got to get to field four for our game. But please, do your best, will you? 8 p.m., I’ll pick her up at her place.”
He saunters off, and the silence that ensues feels endless. My face heats. Okay, it doesn’t just heat. It burns like fire. But I remind myself that at least none of these women are ones I grew up with.
Finally, one of the women looks at me like I have two heads. Raising an overly plucked brow, she asks, “You said NO?”
Apparently, that’s all it takes to break the ice. I’m accosted by their voices, each one over the other.
“He’s so handsome!”
“Very wealthy. And the best father. Women in town would give their right arm—”
“No.” The blonde shakes her head. “Forget Holiday Springs. Raff is basically famous in this entire area. He is the most eligible bachelor. Of course, it seems no one in Holiday Springs is good enough for him. He not only owns Blizzards, the only bar in town, but he’s also a silent owner of bars in Vail, Aspen, and Denver. At least, that’s what my Tony tells me. If I weren’t married, I would definitely be all over him.”
“Would you?” The mom to her right puts a hand on her bony hip. “Oh, please. If all of us were single, he would choose me.” The other two women gawk at her. “It’s true! He told me I was a wonderful mother at the summer carnival.”
As if on cue, Nellie saunters over to our group in a white bellybutton bearing crop top and low-slung jeans. Her hair, which used to be a medium length mousy brown, is now long and wavy, highlighted in golden blonde. At the shop, it’s usually held back in a braid. Not here though. It’s blown out in beach waves with no ocean in sight.
The truth is, she grew into a beautiful woman over the years I’ve been gone. Still, seeing her dress and act the way she has been is a bit shocking.
Hell, we’d been friends… sisterly since we were kids, and she was always a sweet girl. It’s like she’s been possessed by a hot evil spirit. A hot evil spirit who is also a complete bitch.
After the underhanded comments grew worse after Raff stopped by yesterday, I have completely ignored her, and she me. Today, we both busied ourselves with stocking the shelves and held off on any talking. But it seems, avoiding her here will be impossible.
“Hi, ladies! I saw all the action while I was getting my coffee and figured I’d stop in and say hello.” She puts her pouty pink glossed lips over her straw, sucking, then asks, “What are you all talking about?”
“Raff is begging for a date with Nikki.”
“Is he?” She rears her head back, shocked. “That’s so strange! She isn’t Raff’s type at all.”
Jenny laughs out loud, making light of Nellie’s comment as if it were a silly joke.
Stepping into our circle, I breathe a sigh of relief. Savior! I give her a look that says Help!
“Listen, ladies. I’m sure if you were all single, the situation would be different. But as of today, you are all married with children. Can we agree to that?”
They grumble a yes.
Nellie lifts a manicured finger up in the air. “I’m not married. Last I checked, I’m as single as they come.”
“Aren’t you with Sam?” Jenny arches her brow.
Nellie swats a hand in front of her face, dismissing the comment. “Oh, no. He’s just to pass the time until I find someone better suited to me.”
“So.” Jenny clears her throat. “We’re talking about Nikki now.” She puts her arm over my shoulder. “Nikki here is single, and Raff wants a date. I say, she says yes ASAP.”
“Of course, we’re talking about Nikki now. I’d never leave my Johnny. Not even for Raff.” One of the soccer moms smiles. “Okay, maybe for one night. Nah, make that two.”
We all laugh, the mood lightening. But Nellie’s face is stone.
“I just don’t see the two of you jelling. I mean, Raff is this rich, handsome guy. And you’re like, Nikki from the block.”
Jenny laughs out loud. “First of all, it’s Jenny from the block. And I am damn proud!” She snaps from left to right, and we all laugh again.
I know I swore I wouldn’t ever date a man with money, but right now, Nellie feels a lot less like my