“The most sensible thing you did in that short-lived relationship,” Isabella declared.
Val laughed. “Thank goodness it was short-lived.”
“Like I say, I had the sense to get rid of him, right?” Jess shrugged. “That’s progress.”
“To progress!” Liam raised his soda.
Glasses clinked, and Val knocked back a generous swallow of IPA. Its pleasant buzz tingled through her body.
“Well, I’m done,” Jess announced. “Never dating again. I’ll adopt another kitten and become a crazy old cat lady.”
“You’re not already a crazy old cat lady?” Isabella inquired.
Liam gasped. “Bella!”
“Don’t give up yet, Jess,” Val encouraged her. “There are good dudes out there. Look at Liam. Find somebody like him.”
Liam scoffed. “I’m a walking mess.”
“You’re aware of it, though.” Jess groaned. “The men I date sorely lack self-awareness.”
“Find one who has it, then,” Val suggested.
Isabella leaned back in her chair and tossed her thick black curls. “Excuse me, Valerie Stonehold, but you’re a fine one to talk.”
Val raised her eyebrows. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Isabella snorted. “You’re the most single person I know.”
“Have you been out on a date since you moved to the city?” Jess asked.
Val paused. “Uh, no.”
“When was the last time you went on a date?” Liam demanded.
Val rubbed the back of her neck, heat flooding her cheeks.
“Val.” Isabella’s jaw dropped. “Don’t tell me you’ve never gone out.”
“I told you guys I didn’t fit in back home.” Val buried her blushing face in her glass.
Tetra cackled. “Never?”
“I’ve been busy!” Val protested. “Nobody’s asked me!”
“It’s the twenty-first century, Valerie,” Isabella chided. “You can ask.”
“Wait a minute.” Liam grinned wickedly. “Look how she’s blushing. Somebody asked her. She’s bullshitting us.”
Isabella gasped and slammed both hands on the bar. “Who? Who asked you?”
“I demand to see a picture!” Jess yelped, almost falling off her stool.
Val drained her glass. “Another,” she croaked.
Enzo whisked their empty glasses away.
“Tell us.” Isabella reached around Tetra to poke Val’s ribs. “Tell us who asked you. Tell us. Tell us. Tell us.”
“I don’t have his number, okay? This is pointless.” Val gratefully grabbed her glass when Jeff appeared with more beer.
“Who is he?” Jess leered. “Go on. Where did you meet?’
“He’s a pilot,” Val finally admitted.
Isabella gasped, clutching her ample bosom. “A pilot! Does he fly jets?”
“Helicopters,” Val muttered.
“A helicopter pilot!” Isabella almost swooned.
“Wait, you said you took Sinatria on a helicopter tour of Manhattan. Don’t you hate heights?” Liam laughed.
“See? That’s why I turned him down,” Val lied.
Isabella snorted. “Bullshit.”
“I do hate heights,” Val insisted.
