“Hey, Belinda. Want the same thing?” Miranda asked, walking out of the back room and shoving her mussed hair behind her ear.
Belinda quirked her brow. “The same thing that you just had or what Dani’s having?”
I snickered. From what I could tell, Miranda and Randy were newly dating. I’d overheard a few of the regulars gossiping about how the two had flirted endlessly and it was about time they figured their shit out and got together.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Miranda stated calmly.
Belinda gave her a once-over. “Uh-huh.”
Miranda huffed. “We were just kissing. No clothing is out of sorts.”
Belinda’s smile widened. “Got you. And yeah, I’ll take a burger, but a beer instead of the vodka soda. Gotta keep my wits about me. I know the strength of those things you make.”
“On it.” Miranda quickly keyed Belinda’s order into the computer.
“So, you good? I heard raised voices and your door slamming, but I had just started a session.”
I sighed. “Yeah, just another rough one. You know, it’s easier sometimes to just have the kids without their parents in the room.”
Belinda was a child and family therapist like me, and it wasn’t a job for the faint at heart. I loved helping the kids that came in, but some days were really fucking hard.
“I totally get that. I swear it’s always worse on Friday, like going into the weekend is just harder for some kids.”
We chatted a bit about work and then moved to teasing Miranda about her flourishing love life while Belinda waited for her dinner.
“So, anything fun planned this weekend to de-stress?” Belinda asked after finishing her drink.
“I’m just going to veg and soak up some sun. Probably head over to the youth center and hang with the kids Sunday afternoon.”
She laughed softly. “Of course you are.”
My phone buzzed again.
“Roger?” she asked.
I sighed and flipped it over. “Nope. My dad. Another call I’m not answering tonight.”
“Men,” she muttered.
“No shit.”
“But not Randy. He’s the best,” she said, just as the man in question deposited a burger in front of her.
“Damn right I am. And you ladies only deserve the best. Want me to kick Roger’s ass if I see him?”
Miranda patted Randy on the arm. “Oh, honey, you could try, but Roger has like zero body fat and muscles on muscles.”
“Damn, woman. Do you want me to stop kissing you?”
“I mean, he’s got nothing on you. Go get him, tiger.”
I rolled my eyes. “Keep those pet names to yourself. Some of us are trying to eat here.”
Randy winked and Miranda swatted his chest.
“And you don’t have to kick his ass, but thanks for the offer.”
“Anytime.”
