Unbroken

doing. “I didn’t think this was a three-alarm fire,” she points out.
    “There’s a liquor store in town,” I suggest. “We could just cut the crap and get some tequila. And pizza. I’m hungry,” I frown, yawning. I’ve lost track of time with our afternoon gabfest, but I know I haven’t eaten since… The PB&J sandwich I cobbled together last night? I shake my head. No wonder the beer is doing a number on me already, I’m running on nothing except fumes here.
    Lacey struggles upright. “Ooh, wait! I know what we need to do!” She crawls over to her purse, and rummages around. She pulls out a bright blue flyer. “Party time!” she announces. “I saw this on my way into town. A big thing, down at the harbor tonight.”
    “A party? No fucking way.” I shut it down quickly, before she can get carried away.
    Too late.
    “But it’ll be fun, just what you need!” Lacey proclaims. “Food, booze, some dancing, some cute guys… That last part’s for me,” she adds, climbing to her feet. “You have enough to worry about, with Daniel and the Ex.”
    “Lacey, I can’t.” I say, feeling a tremor of nerves. “Something like this, he’ll be there, for sure.”
    “And you’re going to let him run your life?” Lacey challenges.
    “Yes!” I cry. “Just until I leave Cedar Cove.”
    “Psh.” Lacey shakes her head so fast her hair flies out in a tangled halo around her head. “I never figured you for a pussy.”
    “I’m not.” I try not to let her bait me. “I’m being sensible. The last thing I want is another awful run-in with him!”
    “Or maybe you’re just scared it won’t be awful,” Lacey adds, her eyes gleaming. “Maybe, you’re afraid that if you see him again, you won’t be able to resist dropping your panties and having one last goodbye fuck.”
    My chest constricts. Am I really that obvious?
    “Fine.” I spit, getting to my feet. “We’ll go. I don’t care.”
    Anything to prove her wrong.
    “Yay!” Lacey claps her hands together. “You and me, out on the town… After you go do something about that.” She gestures up and down, from my head to my bare feet. “I love you, but you look a mess.”
    “It’s just a cookout,” I protest, reaching up to pat at my now-tangled hair. “Everyone’ll be totally casual.”
    “All the more reason to look drop dead fucking hot,” Lacey declares. “Come on, don’t you want to look fine for the Ex?” she asks mischievously.
    “No!” I gasp, folding my arms across my chest.
    She sighs. “Fine then. Look good for me. I’m the one who has to stare at your raggedy-ass face all night. Just a little bit of mascara…” she comes over to me and begins prodding at my face and shirt. “And maybe a cute top, and a skirt, and some lipstick…”
    “OK, OK!” I bat her hands away. I know Lacey well enough to know, she doesn’t quit. Better I save us both the hassle of her bugging me all night. “I give up. Do whatever you want to me!”
    “That’s what all the boys say.” Lacey winks.
    Since I’m already buzzed on the beer, and I figure we have a long night of drinking ahead of us, I convince Lacey to trade the Bug for a pair of bicycles. We ride into town, unsteady on the rusted old frames, making wide loops on the empty road.
    “You should have told me about the biking part before we got dressed!” Lacey huffs along beside me, her short pink sundress hiked up high as she pedals.
    “Like that would have made a difference,” I laugh. “You didn’t bring anything that hits past your thigh!”
    “Yeah, but maybe I wouldn’t have worn my lucky thong.” She shoots back, sticking her tongue out at me.
    “Guess my panties aren’t so boring now,” I tease, sing-song. We’ve already fought about my dull taste in underwear. Lacey brought a backseat full of clothing—enough to last a month—and she insisted on dressing me up in a short, white denim mini and colorful print tank. She layered my wrists with metallic bracelets that jangle in the night, and finished off the look by scrunching my damp hair into loose ringlets, and painting me with blusher and gloss.
    When I saw the result in the mirror, I have to admit, I was pleased. If I’m going to venture back into town again, there’s nothing wrong with looking good for it, I decide.
    Now, as we reach Main Street and cycle down to the harbor, I feel my nerves kick, all over again. I can already hear the music and laughter from the crowd down by the docks, and