Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85569 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85569 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“That’s it. No more,” I said.
But he carried on begging with his marvelous liquid eyes.
Gently, I scratched the top of his head. “Sorry, but it’s really all gone, Henry. Finished. No more.”
He must have understood because he reluctantly wandered off. I turned back to look at Lola and suddenly a voice in my head said, ‘It’s time for a change, Montana.’
I frowned.
Change?
Was change coming?
For some weird reason, it made me think of excitement, accidents… and death. I froze. Whatever it was, I for sure wasn’t looking forward to it. My scowl grew deeper. I didn’t want change. I liked my life as it was. As a matter of fact, I loved my life and didn’t want it to change at all.
Then I laughed aloud at my runaway thoughts. I was just being silly. Change was not coming. Change never happened in this small town. I’d lived here for twenty-four years and nothing exciting had ever happened.
I got back on Lola and rode to the Watering Hole.
It was Friday night and that was where I met my three best friends for a drink once a week. There was Pearl, who taught money management and history; Natalie, who schooled the kids in science and geography; and Kelly, who gave them biology lessons.
Chapter 2
Montana
“Ugh,” Natalie groaned, flicking her flaming red hair back over her shoulder. “I wish we’d go to another bar. I really don’t like this place.”
“Why?” Pearl asked.
“It’s obnoxiously loud, and it smells like feet and sweat.”
“It’s a majority male bar. Of course, it smells like sweat and feet.” Kelly laughed, already a bit giddy and excited.
“Maybe we should go to the Lake club next time? It’s quite sophisticated,” Pearl suggested.
“No, no. Absolutely not. I'm avoiding Jack,” Natalie said fiercely. “He’s working in the kitchen tonight.”
“Why are you avoiding him?” I asked.
But before Natalie could answer there was a sudden roar.
“Just our luck.” Pearl groaned. “There's a game on.”
“Better chances to meet more men,” Kelly answered gleefully as she led the way towards a corner booth. She threw her purse on one of the seats, pushed her tiny miniskirt down her hips and smiled at the rest of us.
“What do you guys want to drink? I’ll get it because I have my eye on the bartender.”
We looked over and indeed found him to be very cute. He reminded me of a younger version of Justin Timberlake, but I was very much not into that.
“I’m having orange vodka,” Kelly announced.
“French Martini, please,” Natalie said.
Pearl nodded at Natalie. “You have the most excellent taste in cocktails. Same here.”
Kelly looked at me. “What about you, Miss Hermit?”
“Get her a Sex On The Beach. That’s the only sex she’ll be getting.”
“Cranberry vodka,” I said dryly and pulled out my phone to check if my father had sent a message.
“No!” Pearl snatched the device out of my hands. Before I could even begin to protest, it was already locked away in her purse.
Really?” I complained, but she didn’t give a damn.
“Yes, really,” she replied authoritatively. “I successfully drag you out once a week and you’re not going to cheat on me with your phone.”
Kelly sashayed away and we focused our attention on Natalie. “Go on,” Pearl said, “tell us why you’re avoiding Jack.”
“I … I think he’s planning on proposing.”
Pearl screamed and almost exploded with excitement. Nothing about marriage thrilled me that much so I couldn’t work up the same enthusiasm, but I was quietly happy for her.
“Pearl looks more excited than you,” I noted. “It’s about time, isn’t it?”
“I guess so, but …” Natalie sucked her breath through her teeth.
“Uh oh, are you having doubts?” Pearl asked, wide-eyed.
“I still love him, of course, but-”
“But what?” Pearl pushed.
“I thought he’d be more by now, you know. We had big dreams, dreams of getting the fuck out of here. He said he was only getting a job at the Lake club to learn from their top-class Chef, but now ... he seems … so content. Sometimes I think he would be perfectly happy to rot in this small, nothing-to-do town forever, but me, I’m restless and bored. The way I see it, it’s only downhill from here. Sedimentary and dull.”
Kelly returned, accompanied by Jeff, the bartender of her wet dreams.
“French Martini for Natalie and Pearl,” she directed, “and cranberry vodka for Montana.”
“Thank you,” we all chorused.
Jeff winked and went on his way.
I took a sip of my divinely refreshing drink and looked at Kelly. She was standing by the table without a drink in her hand. “What of you?” I asked.
“Oh, uh, I’ll go back. Jeff says I should come back so I can watch him make mine. There’s a special technique and a new rum he wants to try. So, a taste test.”
“We already know who’s going to be having the most fun tonight,” Pearl teased.
Kelly stuck her tongue out cheekily before whirling around and returning to the bar. We watched Jeff and Kelly flirt with each other for a few seconds before returning our attention back to Natalie.