“Please don’t mock my committed relationship with the streaming service.”
“Believe me, I make no judgments and understand why you’d choose it over trolling for men on the dating site dumpster fire.”
Shivering, she sipped her drink and knew she would happily ride her singlehood well into old age before she’d do the swiping thing. She didn’t possess the looks or personality that could be appreciated in a ten-second appraisal and was all too aware that it often took people months, if not years, to enjoy her unique view of the world. “Is Hayle coming?”
Faith crossed her legs. “Yes. She texted me earlier and should be here soon.
She noticed her bestie check her phone for the twentieth time. “Which one of your clients is acting up?”
“Scott hasn’t checked in, and I’m concerned that Dax has talked him into something ill-advised.”
“Is there any chance you’ll put that high school rivalry to bed at some point?”
Faith snorted. “I doubt it. Will I tolerate Dax Stillman’s existence? Of course, but make no mistake, I never forgive and forget.”
“Speak of the devil.” Tancy watched Miles stroll into the bar with his little brother, Scott Clemins NFL God, and Teague trailing behind. “At least you’ll be able to keep an eye on your client.”
Faith let out a groan. “Why couldn’t he stay at the hotel?”
Tancy signaled for another round and wondered what made Teague join the group. Perhaps having his friend, Miles, back in town would change his routine. Not that she cared either way. How the man chose to spend his free time was the least of her concerns.
“Here comes Hayle,” Faith announced as their friend approached.
Tancy waved as the dynamo cut through the crowd. “You made it!”
“Sorry, I’m late.” Hayle dropped down on a stool. “My jeans staged a revolt, and it took me a minute to find a pair that would cooperate.” She twisted her hair into a bun. “My body is trying to stage a coup. Brain cells die, and skin and hair cells too. But the fat cells in my stomach have accepted Jesus Christ as their lord and savior and have chosen eternal life.”
“You look amazing,” Tancy responded. “And we’re celebrating our bodies, remember. She slid her hand over her size fourteen hips. “My extensive scrolling on TikTok has confirmed my suspicion that being curvy leads to more joy and cuts out the riffraff.”
“I completely agree,” Hayle replied. “It’s just that some days my deprogramming efforts fall short, and I succumb to those old patriarchal messages about skinny and quiet being better.”
Faith accepted drinks from the waiter and handed Hayle one. “Medium ugly men gatekeeping beauty standards is a thing of the past. Smaller and sweeter isn’t better, and letting a bunch of mediocre dudes dictate how we feel is over.”
Hayle nodded. “Trust me, I’m totally on board and have happily given up my fifteen-year diet.” She lifted her drink. “I just need to go shopping for this glorious, juicy version of myself.”
“Amen,” Tancy said as she clinked glasses. Hearing a commotion, she noticed that Miles and Teague had several women vying for their attention. “Have sports stars lost their appeal?”
Faith sipped her drink. “Only if we’re lucky.”
“Dax has always acted too tall for his height,” Hayle commented. “And that’s not cute.”
Tancy studied the women fluttering around Teague and felt a sharp pang. Why did it make her so uncomfortable? Feeling an elbow in her side, she looked over. “What?”
“Has the weather pattern changed?” Faith asked. “Are you ready to explore the chemistry you work so hard to ignore?”
“What’s this?” Hayle asked. “Did I miss something in the continuing saga of denial that Teague and Tancy are embroiled in?”
“We deny nothing,” Tancy sputtered. “The man would rather have his body covered in leeches than spend time in my company.”
“And yet you two have dinner several times a week, share a complicated TV viewing schedule, and do errands together on the weekend,” Faith replied. “Didn’t he build a bench in his workshop so you’d have a cozy little nook?”
“It’s for storage,” Tancy sputtered. “And we don’t spend every Saturday together.” She gave both women a frown. “We barely get along.”
“A sentence that is completely inaccurate,” Hayle quipped. “But let’s not dismiss the obvious.”
“Which is?” she asked with confusion. “Because there’s no way I’d fall for a man who quotes the Stoics. Unironically, I might add.” She sipped her drink. “He reads Immanuel Kant. For fun. No one with any sense would try unless they were studying philosophy.”
“Muscly nerds are hot,” Faith stated. “And Teague is a perfect example of it.” She tapped her finger against her mouth. “What about a friend-with-benefits fling? It could be the perfect transition for a triumphant return to the dating scene.”