“I think it’s sweet,” December whispers, bumping my shoulder with hers.
“You would.” April rolls her eyes at me then walks over and taps on the driver’s side window, yelling, “Let her up. It’s time to go.”
Surprisingly, Wes lets July go then rolls down the window, looking at each of us demanding, “Be good and remember the rules.”
“We’ll be fine.”
July smiles, and Wes smiles back, muttering, “Be good, baby,” before driving off.
“Finally, sheesh! I thought he would never leave,” April says under her breath, threading her arm through July’s and leading her inside the restaurant, followed by the rest of us.
“How are things with you and Evan?” December asks as soon as we’re seated.
“We’re good.”
“Thank God he’s not crazy like this one’s man,” April mumbles, jerking her thumb at July.
“Obviously, you haven’t met Evan.” July smiles and I shrug. I love that he’s protective and possessive, and I don’t care what that says about me as a woman.
“He didn’t inspect her outfit, so obviously he’s not psycho possessive like Wes.”
“Is my dress that bad?” I ask, and all eyes at the table turn to look at me, each look saying the same thing: Are you seriously asking that question? “Okay,” I grumble, looking down at my dress. I know it’s a little flirty, but I really don’t think it’s that provocative.
“Just saying if Evan sees you in that dress, you’re in for a good night.” July smiles, and my eyes land on Ellie, Jax’s fiancée, and I watch her smooth out her very clingy dress, blushing when her eyes meet mine.
“Now tell us why you were talking to yourself,” December says, and I glare at her.
“I wasn’t talking to myself.”
“What do you mean talking to yourself?” May asks, and I let out a frustrated breath. I may as well get this over with.
“I can’t say ‘I love you’ to Evan. Every time I try to tell him that I love him back, the words won’t come out.”
“Why not?” Harmony asks, and my eyes go to her.
“I don’t know. Every time I try to say it back, I can’t. The words literally won’t come out of my mouth.”
“You’re probably holding on to some anger,” July says, and I shake my head.
“I’m not. I forgave him, completely forgave him,” I say, looking around for the waiter. I need wine and lots and lots of wine.
“Maybe you should just write it down and tell him that way,” April chimes in.
“Don’t listen to her,” May frown’s, looking at April like she’s crazy.
“Don’t tell her not to listen to me,” April snaps back, glaring at her.
“It will happen when you’re ready for him to know,” July says, leaning into my side. I nod, even though I know now is the time. It’s killing me that he doesn’t know how I feel, and I don’t want him to think I don’t love him. Maybe I should just write it down on a piece of paper and give it to him.
“Enough talk about guys. Let’s drink,” Ashlyn demands, and April leans across the table, giving her a high-five.
“Yes! No more guy talk,” she agrees.
As if on cue a young guy makes his way over to our table. “I’m Cori. I’ll be your waiter tonight. What can I get you ladies to drink?” He says, coming to stand at the end of our table.
“Tequila,” Ashlyn requests, and I look over at her as she shrugs then mutters, “If you knew what my day was like, you would understand.”
“Is it Dillon again?” July asks, and Ellie giggles as Ashlyn looks at her and glares, and then looks at July and growls.
“We’re not saying his name anymore. From this day on, he doesn’t exist.”
“Who’s Dillon?” Willow asks, and July fans herself, whispering, “Dillon is a tall glass of hotne—”
“Dillon is a dick and doesn’t exist outside of the office, where I unfortunately have to be subjected to his dickheadedness,” Ashlyn says, cutting July off, and I make a mental note to ask July about Dillon, or to go by Ashlyn’s office so I can get a look at Dillon myself. There is obviously more to the story than Ashlyn is letting on.
“Umm… so is everyone drinking tequila?” our waiter asks, breaking into the conversation, and we all laugh.
April exclaims, “Tequila all around!”
Leaning my head back, I look up at the ceiling, knowing exactly how this night is going to end. I just hope I don’t regret it in the morning.
“Motherfucker.” Turning my head at the sound of Evan’s deep, rumbling voice, a voice I would know anywhere, I smile, listening as giggles break out around me.
“Hey, honey,” I breathe, as I sway toward him on my stool.
“You wasted?” he asks, dropping his eyes from my mouth to the top of my dress, and I notice they darken when he does.
“Yep.” I grin then press my lips together and lean forward even more, whispering loudly, “I only bought one drink.” I hold up a finger then point to the glasses in front of me. “All of these were free.” I smile. “Isn’t that amazing?”