Drinks 'n Dares

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Chapter 10 - Something Wicked This Way Comes

Claire's POV

"I love summer." Kira said, sighing in pleasure.

Carla and I murmured in agreement.

The three of us had knocked off work and as it was a Wednesday and, not to mention a beautiful summer's day we had all headed to the park to enjoy the sun before it set. Laid out on the warm grass we were talking and dozing. In commemoration of the event we'd all brought out our summer clothes. It had been summer for a while now but hadn't really seemed it. This week was the first week we'd gotten a taste of the sunshine for more than a brief moment. Besides that, I'd always seemed to be trapped in my office or on a netball court. I was glad today I'd finally rung the coach to tell her I was quitting the team. No more sweltering in uncomfortable netball dresses, and for today, while it lasted, no more sweating in uncomfortable office clothes. Today Kira and I were wearing pretty summer dresses paired with sandals. Carla on the other hand was wearing a big tee, short-shorts and high heels. Because it was Carla. And Carla wasn't Carla without inappropriately high heels.

Speaking of, Carla sat up straight. "I just remembered something."

"Oh?" I asked, fascinated by the rays of light sparkling off my engagement ring. Of course I knew it wasn't myring. I was just looking after it for the moment until Jon and I got it off or my finger decided to spontaneously shrink. But on a day like today it seemed apt to daydream. Perhaps that a handsome young man who actually liked me had declared his undying love for me, before offering me his family heirloom. Then again maybe I just read too many romance novels.

"My horoscope came true. You know how my important days this month were 14th, 28th and the 30th?" Carla continued. We both murmured acknowledgements. Offhandedly I remembered that the 14th had been that day at the gym when Carla met Harvey. "Well Conner asked me to his little brother's after-graduation party on the 30th and he's invited you gals as well. We're all supposed to bring dates, and he'll text me with the details."

"Good for you Carla," I propped myself up on an elbow. "Finally Conner got the guts to ask you out!"

She bit her lip. "The thing is I'm not one-hundred percent sure that he did ask me out..."

Kira and I exchanged worried glances.

"I mean he definitely invited us all to the party." She continued quickly. "I'm just not sure if I was included when he told me we all had to bring partners. What do you think? Should I ask him? Or should I get someone else ready just in case?"

"You should definitely talk to him." Kira said earnestly. "You want to know where you both stand."

"Just think how awful it would be if you brought someone else when he had asked you out." I shuddered.

She flopped down again. "I don't know who I could getto go with me." Then she brightened. "What about that dishy friend of Jon's?"

"Harvey?" I asked.

"You two certainly seemed to hit it off." Kira murmured. The edge of her mouth twitched.

"Unlike some people." I couldn't help but mutter. I was thinking of Jon. Again. Sometimes we seemed to get on fine, but other times we seemed to rub each other the wrong way.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again; I really do think you should marry him." Carla said, shutting her eyes.

I lay back in the grass and held my hand up in the sun. The sapphires and diamonds twinkled merrily down at me, unaware of how much trouble they were causing me. In a daydream it would seem understandable to marry Jon; a man with not only looks and money but also sense. But...