“You’re sure you’re okay with this?” Renn asked, not for the first time.
Gabby looked sideways at her friend. “It’s a little late now, don’t you think?”
“We could always turn around. We’re not there yet.”
Gabby laughed. “We’re here,” she said as she turned off onto the driveway. “And besides, he hasn’t shut up about you since that night at the bar six months ago.”
Renn smiled at the memory. “Well, he has called a few times since then.”
“I know. I’ve heard about every one.”
Renn shot her friend a quick glance. “I hope not every one!”
Gabby chuckled. “No, I’m sure not every one.”
Renn grinned slightly in relief. Then her grin turned into an all-out smile as she looked over and saw Wes bounding down the porch steps. Gabby had barely put the car into park before Renn was out the door and embraced in a bear hug by Wes.
‘Ah, new love’ Gabby thought as she turned the key off and sat in the car a moment watching her best friend and her cousin, waiting to be acknowledged. Several minutes went by.
“Seriously?” she finally muttered under her breath as she let herself out. To make a point, she slammed the car door shut a little harder than necessary, which was enough to jar the new lovebirds out of their reverie. Wes shot Gabby a sheepish look.
“I didn’t forget about you,” he said as he walked over and gave her a hug.
“Mmhm,” replied Gabby as she gave him a playful slap alongside of his head. Wes wasn’t going to let that go. With an arched brow, he looked into the back seat.
“Back seat’s empty, and I don’t see a U-haul behind the car. Did you manage to come out here sharing just trunk space for your luggage?”
“Pfft! Our bags are being delivered separately, they should be arriving soon,” Gabby informed him as she sauntered past. She smiled to herself, already knowing the expression on her cousin’s face, not sure whether to believe her or not. She caught up to Renn and both girls looked at Wes, their lips hinting at the slightest of smiles as his expression darted from their faces to the road behind him. Finally, Gabby couldn’t stand it any longer and tossed Wes the keys. He grabbed them in mid-air.
“It should only take you one trip,” she said as she turned and led Renn into the house. Shaking his head, Wes grabbed the bags and followed them inside.
__
“Ooooh, you bought Guinness. Fancy, schmancy,” Gabby observed as she grabbed two bottles from the refrigerator. “Also, what a coincidence. This just happens to be Renn’s favorite beer.”
“Oh, really? That’s interesting,” Wes replied innocently, though he wasn’t fooling Gabby and they both knew it. He took a sip of his own, much lighter beer. “Honestly, I don’t know how you girls drink that stuff. Must be a city thing,” he teased.
“Yeah, I was actually surprised to see it in your fridge. I didn’t know they sold it this far out in the boonies.”
Wes rolled his eyes. “We’re not that far out.”
Gabby laughed. Walking over to the kitchen counter, she grabbed a bottle opener. She popped the tops off the bottles, then followed Wes’ gaze out the window. They watched Renn in silence for a couple moments. She had taken some carrots from the garden and was making new friends with a horse who had wandered to the side pasture gate.
“That may be the closest she’s ever been to a horse before,” observed Gabby. She glanced back at Wes and studied his face for a moment as he watched Renn.
“You know, she’s lived in the city all her life, but she’s also grown somewhat disenchanted with it,” she said softly.
Wes smiled a bit at that. “So, there’s a chance?” he asked, still looking out the window. “I know this may sound crazy, but I can really see myself with this girl. For the long run – a future, marriage…” he mused as he took another sip.
“Marriage is a wonderful invention. Then again, so is a bicycle repair kit.”
Wes nearly choked on his beer as he turned and looked at Gabby. “Like you even have a bicycle.”
“Exactly,” replied Gabby. “I’ve never seen a reason for either invention. But you – ” Gabby stopped and looked pointedly out the window. “There’s your reason.” She handed Wes one of the bottles of Guinness. “Now, go.”
Wes was only too happy to oblige. Gabby stayed back, smiling into her beer for a few minutes before heading outside to join them.
*
© Dahlia Ramone: May 5, 2019
This was written for Blogophilia Week 9.12 Topic: Sweet and Sour
(I didn’t write on topic)
Prompts:
(1) Quote Your Favorite Comedian (Billy Connolly*)
(2) Include Your Favorite Restaurant **
* Marriage is a wonderful invention: then again, so is a bicycle repair kit.
**I included my favorite beer instead (Guinness)
Dahlia Ramone 