Sea Glass (WAYHAUGHT)

Sisterly Love

Waverly could hear Nicole talking. She glanced at the door leading to the bar, her mind trying to process what just happened? Something about Perry made her feel good in his company. The relaxed way he spoke, the complete ease with himself. Was that why she'd had that crazy thought about him? A complete stranger walks into the bar, and she starts drooling over them, for no other reason than they were comfortable in their own skin. That wasn't it. There was something else about him which had her swoon in his company, as though they were already friends, before being friends.

"I left the ice cream out." Nicole advised.

"Who does that?" she replied, her mind replaying Perry's words about changing career.

Nicole stared at her. "I can go get it, if you want."

"Sorry, I need to check something."

She left Nicole staring, an opened tub in her hand. Perry was seated by the window, laughing and talking with another man. She could see he was wearing a ring, the pair clearly together, immediately regretting having given him the impression she was flirting.

Nicole was behind her. "Do you need to serve?"

"Do you see that guy over there?"

"I can see lots of guys. Which one?"

"Window seat. White shirt, dark blue jumper. With the other guy."

Nicole looked to where Perry was seated. "What about him?"

"He's the one who'll be interviewing me on Tuesday. Correction, was going to be interviewing me."

"He looks kinda cute. Very preppy."

"Went to my university."

"That's great. It'll be something to talk about at the interview."

Waverly dragged Nicole back into the kitchen. "I can't. Not now."

Nicole resumed her position on the stool. "Because of Wynonna."

"Because I acted super-weird."

Nicole picked up the open tub, retrieving a fork from the bag. "You know he's gay."

"Obviously."

Nicole held out a slice of beetroot for Waverly to try. "That's two things you have in common."

"I can't tell him that."

"Why not?"

"Because."

"He probably picked up on it. Or, maybe not. You don't give off vibes."

"Do you think he thought I was?"

Nicole shrugged. "Maybe." She waggled the fork. "Did you want to try this?"

"I made a fool of myself."

"Whatever you did won't impact the interview. At least go and have the discussion. That way you can make your decision based on how the interview goes, and not on how you served him his beer."

"Gin and tonic," Waverly corrected. "You're right. Wyn needs me here." She heard Nicole exhale. "She does. What?"

"Are you worried you'll mess up the interview?"

Waverly shook her head. She was, a sickening realisation that her irrational interest in this stranger was a way of sabotaging her happiness. She didn't fancy Perry. Why would she? The moment he mentioned where he worked, and what he did, the moment he'd gone from zero to hero in her estimation. And now, she was freaking out.