Chapter One
“Girls, I think we’ve bored the librarian,” Hilary said as the others chuckled. The murals on the distressed beige walls that represented the wine fields in Tuscany, and the brown barrels underneath the bar mocked Juliette. Instead of being some place exotic beautiful and new, they were here.
“No, that’s not it at all, “Juliette said, swirling the Merlot featured on the menu. She watched the legs trail down as she carefully considered her next words. “I love that we get together and relax here every week. I mean clearly we all work too much. I’ve been pulling doubles like they’re going out of style since Charlene’s been out after surgery. Hil, you’re practically a hermit since banging out book after book in your townhouse, Evonne is addicted to crunching numbers and Joey…well you have the most fun job, so you don’ t get included.”
“Hey, graphic arts is hard work. Bringing someone else’s vision to life can be maddening,” Joey said. She blew a stray piece of hair away from her eyes as she vented her frustration.
“We worked hard to get here. You can’t blame us for being afraid to slack off,” Evonne said.
“I know, girl.” Juliette’s chest swelled with pride. Best friends since the first grade they’d weathered some rocky times together. Tall, curvy and on the darker spectrum of brown, they’d all taken lumps in high school and beyond. Moving past the pettiness to graduate early and dominate in their careers was a big deal. “I’m not discrediting our achievements. I just feel like we should get out there and mix things up.”
“Ms. Plan Every Detail To The Last Nanosecond wants to mix things up?” Evonne arched a pencil-thin eyebrow.
“Look, I know I’ve been a bit sheltered since the whole mess with Peter. I dealt with it, healed, and now I feel the need to remind myself I’m alive. Is that so surprising?”
“Yes,” the voices chimed in harmony.
“Come on, Juliette. Even before him, you were so predictable we could practically tell time by you,“ Joey said.
Juliette glanced away, unable to argue with her. She’d never been one to make waves or shake things up. It was why she’d ended up in her past relationship. The meek got overrun and went unheard. Sex-starved, lonely and overworked, she occasionally felt eighty nowadays. “See, that’s the problem.” Juliette set her wineglass on the table and leaned forward. “We’re stuck in a rut. Work, work and more work. When’s the last time we went out and blew off steam?”
Joey lifted her glass. “Isn’t that what we’re doing now?”
“I don’t know.” Juliette wrinkled her nose and frowned, trying to capture the elusive words to fully describe her rapidly shifting emotions. “We’re too young to behave so…”
“Matronly?” Joey asked, voice wry.
“Yes.” Juliette pointed across the table at her. “We did everything we were supposed to do, earlier than most. Graduated and started our careers. Now that we’ve gained a little bit of success and recognition, maybe we should take some time to have fun.” An answering flicker of understanding rose in the girls’ expressions.
“We hear what you’re saying, Jul. I think we’re all just wondering what you want to do about it.” Evonne raised her hands as she shrugged.
“Start a club?” Joey asked sarcastically?
“Maybe that’s a step in the right direction,” Hil said, the excitement in her voice contagious. Butterflies formed in Juliette’s belly and she leaned in closer to hear her friend’s thoughts. Always the wild child, Hil kept them from being a total snooze-fest. The bending of rules usually occurred at her insistence.
“A club, Hil? I think we belong to enough of those. Book club, Alumni club—and don’t forget the fascinating Tupperware club we were roped into.” Evonne rolled her eyes.
“I didn’t mean it literally. Let’s remind ourselves how far we’ve come. The girls who used to practically wet their pants at the thought of speaking in front of the class have come into their own, and now it’s time to celebrate.” Hil paused meeting each gaze one by one.
Excitement lifted Juliette out of the doldrums like a jet-propelled rocket pack. Hil’s ringlets of black hair all but vibrated with energy. Her tresses always responded to her emotions. Perfectly spiraled when happy, or frizzy when agitated or upset, they acted like a mood ring.
“I like the sound of that.” Juliette took a sip of her wine.
“How do you propose we start this endeavor?” Evonne asked.
“Oh you’re bringing Spock around. We might be on to something.” Joey grinned.
“Be fearless,” Juliette offered.
“Within reason,” Evonne added.
“Please ourselves for once,” Joey whispered. A pained expression dulled the glee visible in her eyes.
“Take risks and get some.” Hil wagged her eyebrows as they all choked.
Juliette felt a twinge of agreement in her neglected lady parts. A handsome man with no expectations and a nice body sounded tempting.
“Hey, who said I wasn’t getting any?” Joey protested.
“Please, girl.” Hil rolled her eyes. “We’ve all hit a dry patch. Too much work and no play has made us all very dull women. Don’t act like you’ve been burning up the sheets and keeping it a secret. ” She twisted her lips and tapped them with her finger. “Or have you?”
Joey scowled.
“Why don’t we start today?” Juliette asked, killing the snit fit before it started. Ready to get the ball rolling, she all but bounced in her seat. Today, during the shift change with her coworker Emily, the truth had rocked her like an unexpected hurricane. Outside of work, many parts of her life left much to be desired.
“Well, fearless leader, I’ll leave that up to you.” Hil winked.
“Let’s go out tonight.” Murmurs of agreement circled the table.
“Where to?” Joey shrugged, lifting her hands.
“What’s the name of that new club? Pure?” Juliette wrinkled her brow, trying to recall the radio ad she’d heard in the car.
“Yes, and women get in free until ten o’clock. Good call.” Joey’s eyes widened. Her animated expression fueled the enthusiasm building at the table.
“It’s five now. We have just enough time to get to the mall, makeup counter, and home to transform before we hit Pure.” Evonne used her finger to check off each task on an imaginary clipboard.
* * * * *
Five hours later she was rethinking her impromptu proposal. Shifting her weight on strappy, heeled sandals, Juliette batted away the urge to yank down the black miniskirt. The low-backed crimson tank top hugged her breasts, presenting them for the world to see in a sexy, nerve-racking display. She glanced at the other woman who stood beside her, effortlessly exuding confidence. Returning her gaze to herself she questioned her choice to show so much thigh.
“Don’t chicken out on us now, fire starter. This is your doing,” Hil whispered.
Glancing up at her friend’s all-knowing, almond-shaped brown eyes, Juliette knew she’d been busted. “I feel so out of place.”
“That’s all in here.” Hil tapped her temple. “Outside you’re slamming, confident, and ready to be worshipped.”
“Hil, where do you come up with this stuff?” Snickering, Juliette was unable to resist the incredible charisma Hil had in spades.
“Hello—writer.” Hil issued an exaggerated eye roll and snorted.
“Why aren’t you the president again?” Juliette tilted her head to the side.
“Because it was your idea. I sort of helped it along. Come on, Jul. We all know you’re the planner. Leave it to me and we’d end up in a rundown bar in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire. Murphy’s Law follows me around, pouncing when I least expect. I think that’s why I write such good romantic suspense. I live it daily…well minus the romance.” She shrugged.
For anyone else that would be an embellishment, but Jul had seen the insanity that existed in Hilary’s life. Flat tires on the way to graduation, punch spilled on her white prom dress, broken heels the day of a big interview. Pick an outrageous series of events, and it’d probably happened to Hil.