Another Alternative

Horribly Familiar

I walked to Grace's friend's car and noticed that I'd seen her before. Her long tawny red hair flowed down effortlessly and her shamrock eyes showed the same recognition as mine when we locked eyes.

"You've got to be kidding me." I stopped dead in my tracks upon realizing who she was.

"What? Hannah?" Grace looked at me with the utmost concern and a quizzical look in her eye. "Hey, what's going on?"

"Nothing. It's just, is that Mamrie Hart?" I asked. I shifted my weight uncomfortably from one foot to the other as I looked at the red headed girl. "As in, leading bartender at Henderson's?"

"Yeah. What? Do you guys know each other?" She raised her eyebrow adorably and worriedly placed her hand on my shoulder.

"Know each other?" I near-shouted. "We were best friends when we were kids."

"You don't seem very happy to see her." She looked at me with a gaze of pure concern for my well-being. "Are you not on good terms?"

"Well when your best friend refuses to give you a chance at their new bar it's hard to be. Her bar is the reason mine is failing. We haven't spoken in I think six years." I was furious just thinking about it.

"What are you yapping about?" Mamrie got out of the car and walked over to us. She slowed down halfway as she realized just who I was. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Mamrie," Grace turned toward her friend and smiled with evident discomfort. "I understand you two have met before. Hannah is coming to the show with us. If that's alright."

"I don't know, Grace." Mamrie looked at the bar and frowned. In that moment I had never wanted to punch her more. "I mean, I'm fine with it. I'm just not so sure about Hannah."

I looked at Mamrie and I could tell she wanted me to say no and go back to my pathetic little bar with my tail between my legs. I directed my attention to Grace and she had this hopeful look in those deep brown eyes. It was vastly different from the defeated, forlorn look she wore when we first met. Not even the strongest warrior could resist a puppy dog face from Grace Helbig.

"I'd love nothing more." I smiled lovingly when I saw the ecstatic expression flood to Grace's face.

"Alright then." Grace linked arms with me as we walked to Mamrie's car. "It's a date."