My gaze landed on the clock on my nightstand. If I didn’t leave now, I was going to be late. I slipped on my glasses and shoved my phone into my purse just as my text notification went off.
Worried that the article about Mr. Griggs had some issues, I pulled my phone back out and glanced down. Sure enough, it was a text from Gloria.
Gloria:Exciting news! I just got off the phone with someone really important.
I snorted. I wasn’t going to hold my breath. To Gloria, the Proctors were important. Right now, rumor had it that the family had packed up their mansion on It’ll Do Road and had bugged out of town.
It felt somewhat vindicating that I was instrumental in all of this. But the best thing to come of it was seeing how relaxed Juniper was now that her divorce was finalized and her ex had left town. It was like a load had been lifted off her shoulders.
Not sure if I should respond to Gloria or if she had more information, I sent a quick, “That’s cool,” in response.
But just as that text was sent off, another text bubble popped up.
Gloria:I’ll send you information on the wedding, but it’s taking place in Harmony. You’ll be covering everything from the flowers to the actual day. Be excited!
“Yay,” I said half-heartedly to my screen. I wanted to think that Gloria felt bad for not taking me seriously when I first told her about my suspicions toward the Proctors. But I honestly knew she was just upset that I’d been right and she’d been wrong.
Ultimately, I wanted things in my life to be getting better, not worse, so I texted a quick thank you and told her that I would look forward to more information.
After I sent the text off, I slipped my phone back into my purse and headed out of the bathroom.
The music at the pub was blaring as I climbed out of my car fifteen minutes later. I adjusted my dress after I shut the driver’s door. My heels shifted underneath me as I walked across the gravel to the front doors.
Thankfully, it only took me a second to find Shelby, Abigail, and Juniper. They were sitting at one of the small, round bar tables when I walked in. Shelby waved, and I nodded in acknowledgment as I headed toward them. I could feel the stares from the men I passed by. My cheeks warmed as I cautiously met their gazes with a soft smile. This was good. I was glad I came. This was the distraction I’d needed.
When I got to the table, the three ladies greeted me. Shelby stood and pulled me into a hug.
“You made it!” She shouted to be heard over the music as she pulled back.
“I did,” I said, giving her a smile. I could already feel my stress starting to melt away.
I was grateful to past me for making the choice to come out tonight. It beat ordering Mr. Cheng’s for the third night this week and watching reruns ofThe Big Bang Theory. This was the distraction I needed from all my life’s problems.
“I’m so glad.” Shelby stepped toward the table to our left and asked if she could steal one of their barstools. They agreed and she returned and offered it to me.
“Thanks,” I said as I hooked my heel on the bar at the bottom of the chair and pulled myself up onto the seat. Once I was situated, I turned my attention to the conversation between the three women.
Apparently, Juniper was having some issues with Boone. Something about them being together for a while now and their relationship not going past kissing. I listened to the advice the other two were giving, not sure what I could offer. It’d been so long since I’d even kissed a guy, much less anything else.
The last thing I should be doing was offering any kind of relationship advice.
Thankfully, Shelby and Abigail didn’t seem like they needed any help. A few minutes later, Juniper seemed satisfied as she leaned back against her chair and happily sipped on her Sprite while nodding along.
Needing a drink, I leaned over to Shelby and told her that I was going to go order something. She nodded but didn’t take her gaze off Abigail, who was talking.
I slipped off the stool and made my way over to the bar. Once a spot opened up, I waited for Jax or Claire to notice me. Jax finished with an older gentleman’s order first, so he came over with a napkin in hand.
“What can I get you, Ella?” he asked as he set the napkin down in front of me.
“A margarita would be great,” I said, resting my elbows on the bar.
“You got it.” He offered me a smile.
“Hey, Ella,” Claire said as she hurried past.
“Hey, Claire,” I called after her retreating frame.
“Ella,” a smooth, deep voice said next to me. “Your name is Ella.”
