The table erupted with laughter. Sophie realized she’d never really had female friends. She’d never really had any friends. She’d had associates. People she talked to and even commiserated with. She’d never had real friends, though. These three women felt like they could fill that void – and that thought scared her almost as much as opening her heart to Grady Hardy.
“So, were your brothers heartthrobs when they were teenagers?” Heidi asked, her eyes sparking with undisguised curiosity.
“They thought they were,” Ally scoffed. “I’m the one that saw them flexing their muscles in the mirror when they thought no one was looking. I know all their secrets.”
“I bet you don’t,” Mandy said, her tone light.
“Why? What’ve you got?” Ally was practically drooling. “James shaves his chest, doesn’t he?”
“They all do that,” Mandy replied. “I’ve had to force him to buy his own lady shavers for that. Have you seen them with their shirts off lately? They all want to be the buffest Hardy of all. That’s not what I was talking about, though.”
“Ooh, tell me.”
Mandy bit her bottom lip, suddenly wondering if alcohol was loosening her lips a little too much. Ally reached over and pinched her. “Tell me.”
“Ow!”
“Just tell me,” Ally whined. “I’ll never tell him you told me. I promise.”
“Oh, I don’t believe that,” Mandy said. “The minute he pisses you off – which happens at least once a week – you’re going to throw it in his face.”
“See, you have to tell me now.”
“Fine.” Mandy glanced around. “Your brother likes to paint my toenails.”
Ally choked on her drink. “What?”
“I’m not joking. He’s got a weird foot fetish or something. He likes me to soak them in hot water and then he uses a pumice stone so he can rub all the dead skin off. And then? Yeah, he likes to paint them. He won’t even let me pick the color.”
Ally laughed hysterically. “Does he like to kiss them when he’s done?”
“Kiss them?”
“You know, suck on your toes and stuff,” Ally said. “I’ve heard that turns some guys on.”
“He doesn’t suck them. That would gross me out.”
“Hey, he watched you puke,” Ally said. “You never know.” She turned to Sophie. “What’s Grady like? Does he want you to braid his hair and stuff? He’s such a freak about his hair.”
Sophie lowered her gaze, her cheeks burning. “We don’t know each other all that well.”
“I thought you spent a full day in bed with him,” Ally said, glancing at Mandy. “You should know something.”
Sophie was mortified. “Who told you that?”
Mandy raised her hand. “I did.”
“Who told you?”
“Oh, honey, I saw Grady swaggering into the office this morning,” Mandy said. “He looked like he’d discovered gold or something.”
Ally’s shoulders were shaking with silent laughter. “That sounds just like him.”
“I’m not sure I feel comfortable talking about this,” Sophie said.
Ally patted her hand. “You’ll get used to us.”
“And, if you don’t, we’ll just find a way to force it out of you later,” Mandy said. “If you’re not careful, I’ll make you watch me puke next time. You’ll be begging to tell me then.”
The table erupted with laughter again.
This felt good, Sophie thought. This felt really good.
TWO HOURS later they were ready to leave. They’d gathered in front of the bar and were waiting for their ride to arrive.
“Who did you call?” Ally asked.
“James,” Mandy replied. “Both he and Grady are coming, though. I figured James could take Heidi and me, and Grady can take you and Sophie. That will give you time to hound him.”
“Good idea.”
Sophie seemed unsure. “Won’t that upset him?”
Ally made a face. “Who cares? I love upsetting him. That’s what sisters are for.” Ally lurched forward suddenly, looking behind her, aggravation written all over her face. “Excuse you.”
Mandy peered around her friend, frowning when she saw the dumpy man standing between them and the bar. “Can we help you?”
The man’s face wasn’t focused on her. His gaze was trained on Sophie, who was standing two feet away talking to Heidi. Mandy frowned, suspicion niggling the back of her brain.
Something isn’t right here.
“Ally,” Mandy started, reaching for her friend’s arm. “Come here.”