The Brianne Hughes Series

3 glasses of wine, 2 shared cheese plates, and a basket of french fries

"What are you doing, Mom?" Taighlor asked, standing in the bathroom doorway as Brianne put on her makeup.

"Getting ready to go out tonight," she answered. "Me and Amanda and Melissa are going to dinner downtown. Grown-up friend time. I'll be back in an hour or so."

"But you don't even like those ladies!" said Jaxsyn, running up behind Taighlor. "You said Amanda was crazy."

"Yeah," Taighlor echoed. "And you said Melissa is too judgy."

Brianne put the cap back on her mascara. "My my, what good memories my babies have," she droned. "And of course I like them! It's just that sometimes friends can...annoy us. Now go find Dad. I hear he's gonna make you guys cheesy popcorn for tonight."

"YESSS!" Jaxsyn hissed, and he and Taighlor took off down the hall.

Bri leaned close to the mirror to put on her eyeliner. The kids thought she didn't even like Amanda and Melissa? That was silly. She'd been friends with them both since college and they'd  kept consistent contact since then. They all lived in the same city and were all married, Bri and Melissa with children. And they were...good people. Really. Mostly.

Tonight she was meeting the girls at Patio Grove, a swanky restaurant downtown. After she'd dropped the car off at the valet, she walked tight, brisk steps inside and was not a bit surprised to find she was the first to arrive, despite being fifteen minutes late herself. The host sat her in a cushy booth in the back corner. She checked her phone--no word from either of them yet. Brianne sighed and ordered herself a glass of chianti.

Ten minutes passed. Bri did some work on her business Instagram account. Twenty minutes. She ordered Taighlor some ruffled socks for school. Finally, forty minutes after they were supposed to meet, Amanda texted sorry late Charlie late getting home from work 

Ok, Bri responded.

After a few moments, Melissa texted, Haha LOL OMG Bri!! I'm running a lil late had a fashion emergency haha LOL!!!

Ok, Bri responded.

Brian had sent a photo of the kids on the couch, smiling in their PJs and holding bowls of Parmesan cheese popcorn. She smiled and saved the photo.

The next time Bri looked up she saw Melissa flitting across the restaurant floor, an energetic smile on her face as her heels clacked loudly. "Bri! Oh my God, it's so good to see you!"

Melissa was wearing a low-cut white blouse and an extremely narrow pencil skirt. Her gigantic Coach purse jingled loudly as they hugged. "Girl, I swear you look 25, you should dress like it!" She told Bri, grinning widely and eying Brianne's outfit.

Under the table, Bri clenched her thumb and forefinger together. "Melissa, you really do just butter me up whenever we see each other."

Melissa scooted into the booth. "You know I always say what I mean, Bri."

"Mmm hmm."

"Where's Amanda?"

"Still just running late, I guess. Something about Charlie getting back late from work."

"Oh, don't tell me they still just have that one dinky little Mercedes. One car? For just the two of them?"

"Charlie likes to economize, I guess." Brianne took a fat sip of her wine.

"God, that man. To tell you the truth," Melissa stage whispered, "I still don't think she should have married him. Like sure, he's got the money, but the man never wants to use it."

"Sure."

"Bryce and I don't have that kind of money, but at least we've got taste, you know? I—" Melissa stopped short and smiled at something behind Bri's shoulder. "Amanda! Over here, sweetie!"