Gloria was perusing takeout menus while Sophie mixed margaritas in the blender. Hannah was busy digging through the stack of movies on the counter that hit all the high notes that a girls’ night needed — romantic comedies, tear-jerkers, and a few full frontal man-part movies.
Harper let the dogs out the back door to romp around in the warm night air. “So, what fat-free, calorie-free deliciousness are we ordering tonight?”
“We were thinking pizza and chicken bites from Dawson’s,” Sophie called over the whir of the blender.
“What about dessert?”
“I brought cookie dough,” Gloria chirped. “We can either make cookies or eat it raw.”
“Best. Night. Ever.” Harper sighed with contentment. She tried to remember the last time that she did something like this. The last time she had a pack of girlfriends. In high school, she hadn’t been in one school long enough for lasting friendships. But now? With the roots she was planting, she had friends, family, and a future.
Sophie brought the blender pitcher over to the island and expertly sloshed margarita into four pink plastic cups. Gloria added a lime wedge, and Hannah plunked a straw into each cup.
“A toast, ladies,” Sophie said, raising her drink. “To the lovely Harper. May she know how lucky we all are to know her.”
“To Harper,” they said in unison.
“You guys! My turn. To all of you. Thank you for being my family. I love each one of you so much.”
They “aw-ed” as one and sipped.
“I approve you as a bartender,” Hannah nodded to Sophie.
“Well, let’s get this party started,” Harper said, dialing Dawson’s.
With the order placed, Hannah held up a movie in each hand. “So what do we want? Full frontal or rom-com?”
Harper groaned. “You guys have full frontal at your beck and call. Let’s not torture me with it when mine is on the other side of the world.”
“Oooh, let’s talk about boys,” Sophie said, clapping her hands.
“My ‘boy’ is your brother. Isn’t that gross?” Harper asked, wrinkling her nose.
“For tonight, I’ll pretend he’s someone else’s brother.”
“Actually, there is a relationship I’m curious about,” Harper grinned. “Gloria what’s the scoop on you and Aldo?”
Gloria choked on a gulp of margarita.
“What makes you think there’s anything to tell?” she asked innocently.
“I have eyes and a brain,” Harper teased. “I saw some patty-cake during the Fourth of July fireworks in the park.”
“Hmm, Gloria Moretta. It’s got a nice ring to it,” Sophie nodded.
Gloria blushed to her roots.
“You liiiike him!” Harper laughed.
“Who is this Aldo, and is he Gloria-worthy?” Hannah demanded.
“Aldo is a muscley Italian stud who’s had the hots for Gloria since high school,” Harper supplied.
“Luke’s best friend, right? That’s a long time be carrying a torch,” Hannah said. “You must be pretty great.”
“She really is,” Harper agreed.
“You guys,” Gloria laughed. “I’m still just getting used to the idea.”
“The idea of what?” Sophie demanded.
“Of Aldo ... and me ... dating.”
Harper whooped. “So it’s official?”
Gloria smiled and nodded. “Official. I’m trying to take things slow, but boy is he intense.” She fanned herself with the Dawson’s menu.
“I can’t believe our little Aldo is finally all grown up,” Sophie sighed.
“Do you have any pictures of this Italian stud?” Hannah asked.
Gloria blushed again and nodded. “I have some on my phone.”
They stuck their heads together over the screen and Harper winked at Sophie while Hannah whistled her appreciation for the male form.
Sophie’s hot pink phone rang from the table. “Speaking of hot studs, it’s the hubby.” She took it into the dining room to answer.
Harper hugged herself. Happiness all around. The only thing that would make it better was if Luke was home safe.
He would be in a few months and they would talk. And then she would know exactly where she stood. She knew what she wanted, the honest, mutual love that she saw Sophie and Hannah shared with their husbands. The kind she saw blooming between Aldo and Gloria. Would she really be willing to settle for less than that?
Sophie came back into the kitchen holding her phone out to Harper. She looked worried. “It’s Ty. He wants to talk to you. Sounds like he’s in full on cop mode.”
Harper raised her eyebrows and took the phone. “Hey, Ty, what’s up? I thought you had the night off.”