“I need you to go on behalf of Sable Concierge.” It hurt her heart to say the words. To admit she wasn’t going to go to the event herself. Whatever she and Eli had really was over.
“Isa.” Chloe shook her head and offered the invitation.
“Please, Chloe.” Isa pushed the invitation back into Chloe’s hand. “There will be lots of executives from other companies there. Take a date. Take a coworker. Canvas the hotel for potential future clients. One of us should. I can’t go. I can’t face him.”
Partially because she was humiliated and partially because she was heartbroken. She’d been trying to be strong for a week, but right now, miserable and hovering over her martini glass, there was no sense in prolonging the inevitable. Eli had shut her out the moment she’d walked away from him.
Yet, she couldn’t regret it. Walking away was, ironically, her way of standing up for herself. It still hurt, though.
“Ladies,” a male voice oozed from over her shoulder. Isa turned around to see a man wearing a cowboy hat—a legit cowboy hat. He leaned an elbow on the bar. “Can I buy you two cowgirls a drink?”
“Eww.” That came from Chloe.
Isa burst into a fit of liquor-fueled laughter as the man’s smile vanished.
“Bitches,” he spat, then turned to go find his next prey.
When Isa turned to face her friend, Chloe was giggling.
“I can’t even.” Chloe swiped tears from her lashes. “I think I’ll stay single for a while longer.”
“Like until the apocalypse,” Isa suggested. “Then if you pair up with someone it will be to save the planet, not get a free drink.”
Their laughter ebbed at the same time and Chloe gave Isa a decisive nod. “I’ll go to the Crane event for you.”
“Yeah?” Isa never knew she could feel relief and regret at the same time. “Thank you.” She planned on donating to Refurbs for Vets. Regardless of what she and Eli had been through, the charity was worthy.
“Anything for you. To Sable Concierge.” Chloe lifted her drink and Isa tapped the glass with hers and sipped.
Knowing her friend had her back didn’t staunch the disappointment settling in her gut. She’d fought for independence a long time ago, but this was the first time she’d felt less than empowered.
Stupid love.
Stupid heart.
***
“The Crane brothers, back together.” Tag passed a red Solo Cup to Eli and one to Reese and kept one for himself.
Reese took a sniff at the inch of liquid in the bottom. “Tequila?”
“Yeah.”
“Not very sophisticated. I like it,” Eli said, tapping his brothers’ cups with his own before throwing back the shot. Flames lit his throat and he coughed.
“You are out of practice, my friend,” Tag said, slapping Eli’s back.
This Friday dinner was different from the rest. Eli, Tag, and Reese had worked late, so they came straight from the office. Merina and Rachel had met up for happy hour without them—something called “GNO,” whatever the hell that was. The regularly scheduled dinner was on, just later than usual. Even their father and Rhona were planning to attend.
Which left Eli the odd man out. Again.
Fantastic.
“Where is your girl tonight, Eli?” Tag asked.
“Yeah, how are things going with Isabella?” That came from Reese. “You never shared what became of your argument last week.”
“First fights suuuck,” Tag hissed through his teeth.