Me: I’m free on Saturday.
Callie: Really?
Me: Yeah, Paris is taking Sean out.
Callie: You’re on.
Me: What are you doing tonight?
Callie: I’ve got a hot date.
Me: Who the fuck with?
Callie: Settle. It’s with my neighbour. She’s cooking me dinner. Roast.
Me: You’re cheating on me. I’m your roast dealer.
Callie: What can I say? She makes it so good.
Me: I bet she doesn’t follow it up with your favourite dessert.
Callie: No one makes that dessert as well as you.
Me: Drop by the bar before you go home.
Callie: I don’t think I’ll have time.
Me: Make time.
Callie: I was wondering where bossy Luke was hiding.
Me: I’ll see you then.
“Make me a Cosmo please, Luke,” my mother says as she settles on the stool in front of me. Dumping her handbag on the counter between us, she adds, “It’s been a bitch of a day and I need a drink.”
I raise a brow. “You haven’t had one yet?” I find that hard to believe.
She purses her lips. “Don’t be a bastard to your mother. I’ve only had a few, and that was at lunch.”
Avery moves behind me and says, “I’ll make it, Estelle. Luke’s been a moody asshole for the last hour.” She avoids my glare as she makes the cocktail.
“Why are you moody?” Mum asks.
“No rea—”
Avery cuts me off. “Oh, here she is now.”
I follow her gaze to see Callie walking towards us. When she is standing in front of me, I say, “You’re late.” She’s at least an hour late, if not more. I actually expected her not to show now.
She drops her bag on the counter next to Mum’s and takes the stool next to her. “It’s been an atrocious afternoon, Luke. You need to make me a vodka.”
My mum is watching her with great interest. When she mentions vodka, Mum nods and says, “A woman after my own heart. Make her a vodka, Luke, and make it snappy.”
Callie faces Mum. “Thank you. Finally, someone who bosses him around.”
I smirk and make the drink.
I’m not even getting involved in this. I want to see where it ends up.