“That does it.” She tossed the fry back on her plate. “I’ve been waiting a day to get this story. Spill it. I covered for you, after all.”
Exhaling loudly, I dropped my forehead on my hand, wishing a mermaid would swim past. “Look a shell lamp!”
“Mariska!” A light kick hit my shin, and I started to laugh.
“I don’t know what to say! He’s fantastic and wonderful and exactly how I expected, and he flat out told me he was leaving. Alone.”
Elaine’s brow lined. “Where’s he going?”
“Back to the desert. Back to Saudi, I guess.” I pulled the giant fishbowl drink toward me and took another long pull from the straw. The idea that I might end up drunk tickled at the back of my head, but I almost didn’t care.
“So he’s going back. I wonder if he’s mentioned that to Derek. I know Patrick has no idea.”
Blinking back at her, I shook my head. “Just keep that between us. The last thing I want is for him to think I’m discussing him with everybody.”
My friend took a deep breath. “So you got to know each other pretty well, I take it.”
I took another bite of sandwich, and cut my eyes at her.
“Right. All the way.” Elaine leaned back in her sea-green barstool and was quiet a moment. I put the sandwich down and stirred at my basket of fries. “I’ve got to say,” she finally continued. “I honestly don’t know what to tell you.”
“He’s got to decide what he wants.” My voice was quiet now. “That’s why I’m leaving Sunday.”
Elaine’s head flicked around. “No! You can’t leave. Stay until Sylvia and Nikki go home.”
I took my last pull of blue drink. “When is that?”
“Tuesday, I think.” I watched as she took out her wallet. Instantly, I fished mine out to help. “No, no—it’s totally my treat.” She pushed my hand back.
“You can’t buy me lunch!”
“I dragged you out here looking for a special coffee pot and then made you eat with the mermaids.” She waved her hand. “I’ll treat.”
I laughed. “It sounds like a mafia hit.”
“Come on.”
We left the bar, squinting in the afternoon sunlight, and took off toward where we left the truck. Walking made me realize how wobbly I was after too much fruity cocktail.
“I might have to go home and take a nap,” I sighed.
“Hmm... I’m thinking I’ll find Patrick and inspect the loft.”
Frowning, I caught her arm. “Don’t rub it in. I miss my cowboy.”
“From where I sat, it looked like you could have him back any time you wanted.”
“No.” I shook my head. “That would undo all the progress I’ve made.”
Elaine’s voice grew wistful. “If you love someone, set him free.”
“If he doesn’t come back, hunt him down and kill him.”
We both started to laugh, and I held her arm to keep my balance. She unlocked my door and helped me in the truck. “Nap on the way back, silly girl.”
* * *
When I opened my eyes again, I was in my bed. The sun was still up, but a quick glance at my clock told me it was four. I sat up slowly, waiting for the headache. Instead I was just really thirsty.