Page 63 of Three Girls Gone

“I’ll get you some apple fries to tide you over. That sound good?”

“Okay.”

“Oh, what’s that?” Becky pointed at Zoe’s mouth. “Open wide.”

Zoe did, with pride, and pointed at the holes left from her latest baby teeth falling out.

“Look who’s a big girl now.” Becky hugged Zoe.

“Yes, yes, that’s me.” Zoe rolled her eyes and collected the sliced apple that Amanda prepared for her.

“Eat it in the living room, and I’ll call you once the dough’s rolled out,” Amanda told her.

Zoe sauntered back to her perch in front of the TV and resumed the playback of her program.

Becky was reaching into the cupboard for wineglasses, and Amanda pulled out the dough and a rolling pin.

“So what’s up with you?” she asked Becky as her friend moved on to unscrewing the lid on the wine.

Amanda nudged her head toward the bottle. “I see we’re living it up tonight. Twist top?”

“You don’t drink for years and now you’re a wine snob?Well, I’ll have you know, don’t let the twist top fool you. And in answer to your question. I just thought I’d call, see what was up.” Becky poured some red into two glasses and handed one to Amanda. “To spontaneity. Because I swear without it these days, we’d never see each other.”

Amanda echoed the toast and clicked her glass to Becky’s.

“Now, what’s this I hear about some doctor?”

Amanda choked on her mouthful of wine. She started coughing.

“Oh, it’s more serious than I thought.” Becky’s eyes were twinkling with amusement.

Once Amanda could breathe without a catch in her throat, she spoke. “There’s no doctor. And there’s nothing serious.”

Becky pointed toward the front door. “That’s not what Trent said.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I hear he’s some hottie who couldn’t take his baby blues off you.”

So, he caught that…“Let’s not do this.” Amanda spread some flour on the counter and unwrapped the ball of dough.

“Do what? Mandy, you and Logan broke up six months ago. It’s time to move on. You’re too young to close up shop.”

Amanda paused on the analogy, took a sip of wine, then picked up the rolling pin.

“You must be lonely.”

“I have Zoe.” Amanda couldn’t even look at her friend right now. If she did, she might succumb and admit that some male companionship would be nice. The catch was the man she was primarily interested in wasn’t available. She pressed the pin firmly against the dough and rolled.

“You know what I mean. Are you scared? You don’t have to be. It’s like riding a bike. You just have to get back on.”

At least she didn’t sayhorse…“It’s not that easy, Beck.” Amanda stopped rolling. “I have Zoe to consider.”

“So take things casual. Keep it from Zoe.”

“I don’t keep things from her.”

Becky angled her head and pierced Amanda’s eyes, calling her bluff.