Page 24

Sam’s phone vibrated in her pocket, she wriggled it free and saw a new message from Taylor. Speaking of friends petering out, it was nice to have new ones popping in. She smiled and opened the message. It was an image of, she assumed, Taylor’s dog in the life jacket from the shop, standing proudly up the front of a paddleboard. Well if that wasn’t the cutest thing. A text followed.

Taylor 7:27pm:

Belle approves of the jacket! She’s a natural on the SUP too.

Sam 7:28pm:

Jealous! Looks like it was a good day out on the water. How’s those sparkles?

Also, Belle looks super cute in the jacket, I’m so happy it fits.

Taylor 7:29pm:

Yeah, awesome afternoon. Might have to get you out one day.

Just as Sam went to reply, Alex slid back into the chair, so she flipped the screen over.

“All ordered. Who’re you texting? Any guys I should know about?” Alex enquired.

Sam scoffed. “Yeah right. You know me. Manny is my one and only.”

“I thought you were trying out an app or two. No luck?”

“Nothing. I feel like it’s probably more me than them, though. I feel like half of it is me just not putting in the effort, and the other half hopes I could just meet someone old school, in the wild, so to speak, rather than on these things,” she said, shaking her phone for emphasis.

“True that. There’s so many creeps and weirdos on there anyway; it can definitely be a time suck just trying to sort out the schmucks from the real deals. Here’s hoping something happens with Will because I am so over blind dates. Can we please just find our forever people already?”

“I know right!”

“Speaking of… mini-golf. Would you come with us?”

“I am not third wheeling on your first ‘not date’,” Sam replied, making air quotes.

“So bring someone else along.”

“Like who?”

“Well, who were you just texting?” Alex shot back, eyebrow raised.

“Taylor.”

“This is perfect. You bring your new friend so I can vet her,andyou won’t be a third wheel. Win-win.”

“Hey! I’m perfectly capable of vetting my own friends… but… fine. I’ll see if she’s keen. You ask your future husband on this date—err,friendlyhangout—and we’ll make it happen. Otherwise, if she isn’t free, I could always invite Sausage Fingers,” she said with a mischievous grin.

Alex’s glass stopped mid-sip, she dropped it back down on the table.

“Gross. You’re going to put me off my wings before they’ve even arrived.” She sat back and folded her arms, a smile playing on her lips.

“Ha, I would never,” Sam said. “He’d put me off my own food!”

“Oh, timing,” Alex said, looking up as the waiter brought over their chicken.

“Yum!”

Sam was already reaching for an extra crispy wing before the guy had even let go of the plate.

“Damn, I was going to grab that one,” Alex pouted.