Venom And Vice

32

I was adding the limes to the drink rims when I took in the serious looks on their faces. The two were deep in conversation, Cat nodding as if Becca was offering her the secret to everlasting life. I had no clue what they were discussing, but it made me glad I’d met Elle at the coffee shop. Becca should have every right to other friends, and unless I had a few other friendships as well, I wouldn’t be able to shake off the twinge of jealousy I felt at seeing their private conversation. “All right, ladies,” I called as I walked over with a drink in each hand. “Drinks are served.” I gave them each a glass and went back to retrieve my own. “Who’s going to toast?” “Not me,” said Cat. “I’ve never even had a margarita, so I wouldn’t know a proper toast.” I grinned mischievously. “Oh, sweet Cat. You’re in for a treat.” Becca kicked off our night with a toast to girlfriends. We each took a healthy slug of our drinks, then rolled with laughter when Cat choked on hers. “It’s like acid,” she said with watery eyes. We all laughed some more before Becca explained that I had a heavy hand when it came to mixing drinks, and when it came to making drinks for other people, I did. I was much more conservative with my own. That was why I liked to bartend when possible—better to be the one in control so I knew exactly what was going in my body. Once the tequila began to warm my belly, and the conversation skipped from one topic to the next, I told the girls about Elle. “I know it probably wouldn’t have worked to invite her since you’ve never met, but I thought maybe we could give her a call.” Becca gave a lopsided grin. She’d always been quick to feel her alcohol. “Yes! Let’s FaceTime her now.” She grabbed my phone and thrust it at me. I giggled and selected Elle’s number. The other two scurried around behind me to get a better view. “Hello?” came the girl’s voice seconds before her picture appeared. “Hey, Elle! I was just having a bit of a girls’ night with my friends and was telling them about you. They wanted to meet you, so we figured we’d just give you a ring.” I lifted my glass in explanation, belatedly realizing it was now empty. “Oops! Looks like it’s time for another.” Elle joined us all in a good laugh. “I’m so glad you did.” She waved at the camera. “I’m Elle. It’s lovely to meet you.” The others introduced themselves, and we all chatted excitedly. Although, in reality, it might have been Becca, Cat, and I blabbing excitedly while poor Elle watched in rapt fascination. Who was to say? “Isn’t she sweet?” I asked after we’d hung up. “I definitely think we should try to include her in our next outing.” I pulled my hair up into a ponytail and looked for the grocery sack I’d brought home earlier. “And I also think I should go ahead and do my face mask. The alcohol’s already convinced me that deep conditioning my hair can wait. Too much hassle.” I located the bag and brought it back to the living room, growing still when I realized both girls were staring at me with wide eyes. “What? Is there a spider? Oh, God. Do I have a spider on me?” Becca shook her head incredulously. “Ashley Nicole Moore, do you have a tattoo on the back of your neck?” I sucked my lips between my teeth. “Oh, that.” “Oh, that?” Becca squawked. “Are you serious? How do I not know about this?” Poor Cat sat quietly, her eyes ping-ponging back and forth between us. Taking a deep breath, I launched into a full explanation of how I’d acquired my new magical ink. The girls absorbed every word, their jaws hanging open by the time I was done. “I’d say I can’t believe he did that,” mused Becca. “But really, I can. I’m sorry, honey. At least he can remove it once all this is over. I know he’s been difficult to work with.” “It’s not so bad.” My eyes fell to my hands in my lap. I hadn’t gone into my more intimate encounters with Casek. I wasn’t quite ready to share the full complexities of our relationship, though by the look on Becca’s face, she already knew. I’d told her about our first time together—a night I’d thought would be a simple one-night stand. “The thing that’s been the hardest is figuring out this magic business.” Becca’s brow scrunched. “What do you mean? I thought all that changed after Merlin helped you.” “So did I, but it hasn’t been as easy as I’d hoped. I don’t know if it’s the way I acquired my power or because of the unique gifts I have, but I’m having trouble accessing it again. This time, I can feel it there, but I can’t use it. Not intentionally.” “I’m sorry, Ash. I know that’s been so frustrating for you.” I forced a thin smile. “Yeah, but that’s exactly why I needed this time with you guys. Great friends, drinks, laughter, and zero troubles. So no more talk about boys or magic.” “Yes, sir, Captain,” Becca saluted. “Let me check in for just a second with Lochlan while you get that face mask on, then we can cue up a movie. Sound good?” “Definitely. Do your thing, and I’ll be back in a jiffy.” We had another round of drinks while we watched a romantic comedy, then taught Cat how to play crazy eights, which turned out to be hysterical when tipsy. We had a fabulous night together, and it was exactly what I’d needed. After sleeping off the tequila well into the next morning, we started our day at a nice leisurely pace with coffee and girl talk, transitioning smoothly into nails and chick flicks after lunch. The day sped by at a miraculous rate, considering we did very little. It was the perfect mix of relaxation and friends. Before I knew it, the sun had set, and the first bottle of wine had been opened. “Next time, I’ll bring the Guinness, and we do things my way,” said Cat, looking a little green. Becca smirked. “You don’t have to have any if you don’t want.” “Please.” Cat scoffed. “I’m Irish. If I don’t go drink for drink with anyone in the room, I’ll let my whole country down.” I laughed and poured her a glass. “What’s next on the agenda, ladies? Movie? Cards? Karaoke?” “Karaoke takes energy,” Becca said. “I say we stick with a movie.” “Suggestions?” “I wish the latest season of Bridgerton was out on Netflix, but it doesn’t release for a couple of weeks.” I scoured my brain for other options. “What’s Bridgerton?” Cat asked. “You haven’t watched Bridgerton?” I asked incredulously. She shook her head, and I exchanged an excited look with Rebecca. “I’ll cue up season one.” I grinned.