Page 15 of Connectio

“I’m getting my hair cut,” I blurt, setting my mug back down.

His brows pinch just as Carly bursts into the room and says, “Right! Opals… tonight, who’s in?”

We all look up.

“I’m in,” George offers, eagerly.

“You’re too old. You’re not invited.” Carly pokes her tongue out at him. “And anyway, something tells me Mrs T would have your balls for breakfast were you to accompany us tonight.”

George stands and not so subtly covers his package with his hands in a show of protection. “Nobody’s havin’ my balls for breakfast, especially Mrs T. She can have porridge.”

I giggle. I love George.

“Brooke, Sally, you in?” Carly plonks her butt on the table and nearly spills my tea.

I pick it up, finish it off, and stand to take the empty mug to the sink. “I can’t, Carls. Sorry.”

She laughs, and it reminds me of Maleficent. “Ha! You don’t have a choice.”

I spin in her direction. “Says who?”

“Me.”

“Yeah, I’m in.” Sally grabs yet another handful of M&M’s and shovels them into her mouth.

“Sal!” Carly points at the candy-covered chocolate.

Sally has appointed Carly as her don’t-let-me-put-anymore-weight-on marshal, which Carly has taken rather seriously.

Her eyes flame at Sal.

“I’ll work it off tonight on the dance floor,” Sal mumbles as she chews. “I promise.”

“Oh, I know you will.”

“It’s all right for you. You can eat whatever you like and—”

Carls cuts her off like the insensitive, no-bullshit marshal she is and says, “Okay, we’ll taxi it from my joint then.”

Sal glares and sneaks another handful.

“Brooke?” Carly asks.

“I’ll let you know. I have to see what Lance is doin’. If he’s busy, then, yeah, I’m in.”

“No probs. Text me later.” Pushing off the table, she picks up her handbag. “Okay, you ready, Lib?”

“Wouldn’t matter if I weren’t,” I grumble. “You’d leave without me.”

She shrugs. “You snooze, you lose.”

Oliver gives Carly a disgusted look as we walk out the door; he’s not her biggest fan.

Well, at least I have real plans now.