She didn’t regret her decision. She sighed. Perhaps she regretted it a little, but she knew she’d made the right choice. Getting involved with Tucker was a complication she didn’t need. Better to focus on what was important rather than what felt good. Although being with Tucker felt really, really good.
She set her hard hat on her desk, then picked up her purse and met Charlie outside.
Twenty minutes later they were sitting in Jo’s Bar with Annabelle and Heidi. They’d gone girly and had all ordered salads, with a plate of fries for the table.
“Don’t let me have more than three,” Annabelle was saying. “I don’t have the advantage of being tall like all of you. Every extra pound shows at my size.”
“Next she’ll complain about being too rich, too,” Charlie grumbled, sipping her iced tea.
Annabelle didn’t look the least bit intimidated. “You try being the size of a flea and we’ll see how you like it.”
“You try being taller than ninety percent of the male population.”
“At least you can kick their butts if they annoy you,” the librarian said with a smile.
Charlie grinned back. “You got that right.”
The women laughed.
Nevada joined in, pleased to be with her new friends. Recently her social life had gotten a little stagnant. She’d mostly hung out with her sisters. As they were moving in a different direction than her—getting married and, in Dakota’s case, starting a family—it was good that she’d branched out. Being the last single triplet was going to mean her sisters wouldn’t have as much time for hanging out.
Reality intrudes, she thought, happy for them but a little sad for herself. While change could be good, it wasn’t always easy or comfortable.
Jo walked over with their salads and fries.
“How’s it going?” Annabelle asked. “I saw Will here the other day. He’s such a cutie.”
“We’re not going out,” Jo said flatly. “I don’t care what anyone says. I’m not dating him.”
The four of them exchanged a look. Nevada found herself feeling badly for her coworker.
“You know he’s a nice guy,” she said quietly. “On the job site all the guys respect him, but they like him, too.”
Instead of looking relieved, Jo scowled. “You think I don’t know he’s nice? Did it occur to you that his niceness is the problem? I’m not going to get involved with him just to screw up everything.”
She slapped the plates on the table, then stalked away.
Nevada looked at Charlie. They’d known Jo the longest. Charlie had shown up in Fool’s Gold about the same time Jo had.
“Not a clue,” Charlie said, reaching for a French fry. “Sounds like she’s dealing with something from the past.”
“We all are.” Annabelle gazed longingly at the dressing she’d ordered on the side, then ignored it as she speared a piece of lettuce. “Relationships with men are never easy. If I were to make a list of all the mistakes I’ve made and line them up, I could reach China.”
Heidi looked intrigued. “Any you want to share?”
Annabelle shook her head. “Let’s just say I wasn’t always the quiet librarian I am now. I used to be…different.”
“Men can be real bastards,” Heidi said with a sigh.
“You got that right,” Charlie muttered, taking another French fry.
Nevada thought about how her heart had been broken in a single night. While she would lay part of the blame at Tucker’s feet, she knew she had some culpability, too.
“Relationships are never easy,” she admitted.
“No, but your boss is yummy,” Heidi said with a grin. “Please tell me being around him makes you tingle. I can’t remember the last time I felt a tingle.”
“We work together.” Nevada knew she sounded prim but was afraid they would guess how he tempted her.
“You don’t have to grab the merchandise, but you have to be looking.” Heidi raised her eyebrows. “Have you seen his butt?”
“He does have a good butt,” Charlie told her. “I hate nearly all men and even I’ve noticed that.”
Annabelle nodded. “I agree. Your brother Ethan is pretty hot, too. I say that in a respectful way. He’s married and obviously crazy in love with his wife.” She sighed. “Despite everything, I find myself wanting to find the right guy. Still.”
“Not me,” Charlie grumbled. “There is no right guy.”
“You can’t really believe that,” Heidi told her. “While I’m not interested in someone for myself, I can understand the longing. I used to feel that way. Until I had my hopes and dreams crushed.” She speared some of her salad on her fork. “Now I live with my grandfather and raise goats. Who says life doesn’t have a sense of humor?”
“There are still great guys out there,” Nevada said. “Both my sisters are happy and in love.”
“True,” Heidi admitted.
“Annoying.” Charlie rolled her eyes. “Your sisters got lucky. I’ll admit that. There are—” She paused. “Is that your mom?”
Nevada turned and saw her mother standing in the center of the bar. When Denise spotted Nevada, she hurried over.
“I’m sorry to bother you,” she began.