42097609460

“What are you doing here?” Katie asked, leaning in to give her
friend a hug. She’d never run into Jo in town before, and seeing
her out of context felt strange for some reason.
“I came to see you. Where’ve you been, stranger?”
“I could ask you the same question.”
“I’ve been around enough to know you’ve been seeing Alex for a
few weeks.” Jo winked. “But as a friend, I’ve never been one to
impose. I figured you two needed some time alone.”
Katie blushed despite herself. “How did you know I was here?”
“I didn’t. But your lights weren’t on at the house and I took a
chance.” Jo shrugged. She motioned over her shoulder. “Are you
doing anything? Do you want to grab a drink before you head
home?” When she saw Katie’s hesitation, she went on. “I know it’s
late. One drink, I promise. Then I’ll let you go to bed.”
“One drink,” Katie agreed.
A few minutes later, they stepped inside the pub, a local favorite
paneled in dark wood scarred with decades of use, with a long
mirror behind the bar. It was quiet tonight; only a few tables were
occupied and the two women took a seat at a corner table in the
back. Since there didn’t seem to be table service, Katie ordered
two glasses of wine at the bar and brought them back to the table.
“Thanks,” Jo said, taking her glass. “Next time, it’s on me.” She
leaned back. “So you and Alex, huh?”
“Is that really what you wanted to talk to me about?” Katie asked.
“Well, since my own love life is in the dumps, I have to live
vicariously through you. It seems to be going well, though. He
was over there… what? Two or three times last week? And the
same thing the week before that?”