Curves for the Single Dad

“One shot and one drink,” I bargained as the waitress made her way to our table.

“Two rounds of shot for everyone but the mommy to be,” Mara said to the waitress with a wicked smile. “And two pitchers of margaritas, strawberry and lime. Thanks.”

Eva rolled her eyes. “Did you forget something Mara?”

She blinked innocently, big brown eyes somehow still laughing. “Did I? What?”

Eva shook her head, ignoring Sophie, Olive and Joss’ laughter. “Double nachos, stacked to the brim. Fresh Salsa and mini tacos to start, please.”

“Now that food and drinks are out of the way,” Gretchen said a little louder than necessary, making me wonder just how early she’d showed up at the restaurant, “it’s time to talk about the birthday girl.”

“Not necessary,” I said quickly. “You all showed up and that’s enough for me.”

“That’s not how birthdays work, Tara. We’re here to celebrate you, to let you know that we’re happy you were born, and that this world wouldn’t be the same without you in it, keeping us safe.” Sophie’s kind words didn’t surprise me, but the sting of emotion behind my eyes did. Thankfully the drinks arrived a moment later, and I buried my face in a wide margarita glass, gulping away some of my emotions.

“Thank you, Sophie.”

“Yeah, yeah, we all love you.” Gretchen waved a dismissive hand in Sophie’s direction, an amused smile on her face. “So much so that we spent our hard-earned money to show you just how much.”

I groaned. “I specifically said no gifts, Gretchen.”

“Of course you did. Everyone says that, but I know you didn’t mean it, because it would be awkward to show up without a gift. So, it’s gift time!” She clapped her hands excitedly and did a little hip shake in her seat. “Who wants to go first?”

“I guess you do,” Mara said, her words heavy with sarcasm.

Gretchen was, as usual, completely unfazed by the sarcasm and she produced a beautiful gold envelope with a smile as bright as the Texas sun. “I’ll save mine for last, smart ass.” She stuck a playful tongue out and Mara. “You go first.”

“Happily.” Mara stood and pulled a crinkled purple envelope from her back pocket with a smile. “For you, Officer Birthday Girl.”

“Thanks,” I snickered at the silly nickname and accepted the envelope. When I opened the flap, I couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you saying my shooting isn’t up to snuff? Because I’ll happily prove you wrong.”

“Not at all, Rambo. But I heard through the grapevine that it’s an excellent form of stress release. Maybe you’ll head there after leaving this estrogen fest.”

“Thanks. I just might.” Though the truth was that, so far, the dinner wasn’t as stressful as I’d made it out to be in my head.

“Happy birthday, Tara.” Sophie stood and set a big silver box in front of me and I held back a groan, knowing it was some article of clothing.

“Thaaaannnks…” I drew the word out until it was about nine syllables as I opened the box and removed the silvery tissue paper that hid a gorgeous champagne colored dress. “Holy crap, Soph, it’s gorgeous.”

“Of course it is. And it’s perfectly your size, and will be stunning with your coloring. I hope you enjoy it.” Even when she was being a prim and proper Worthington, it was so much nicer on Sophie than the other rich people I’d come across in my life.

“I can’t think of a place I could wear this to, but it’s beautiful. Thank you.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Eva said and set her own box in front of me. “Courtesy of me and Olive, who’s too big and too tired to do her own shopping.”

“Hey! I did the shopping, you just picked it up.” Olive cocked an eyebrow, daring Eva to deny it.

“Well someone has to pick up the slack,” she shot back with a playful wink.

I opened the box and gasped. “These are the sexiest shoes I have ever seen, but they don’t exactly go with my uniform,” I joked, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the strappy shoes with the four inch heel that would give me the height I always longed to have. If I had an occasion to wear them.

Which I didn’t.

“Well now, isn’t this, what’s the word?” Gretchen tapped her chin theatrically and I felt my stomach roll over. “Fortuitous, that’s it. Isn’t this fortuitous?”

“What?” I asked, even though I didn’t really want to know.

“That you’ve got sexy clothes and shoes and no place to wear them.”

Mara snorted a laugh. “I’m not sure you know what that word means, Gretchen.” A few laughs went around the table, but my sister only rolled her eyes and slid the fancy envelope my way.

“I absolutely do, Mara. You’ll see.” Gretchen was confident, but rarely was she smug like she was now, and I didn’t like it.