Free Dust of My Wings by Carrie Ann Ryan

what.
    Lily walked toward the two and put her hands on her hips.
    “Dante,” she called.
    He turned his head, grinned, and topped off the beer.
    “Good to see you, ladies,” he crooned.
    Nadie rolled her eyes and took a sip of her club soda.
    Jamie went to sit at their normal table, and Lily shook her head and joined her.
    “Dante,” she started again, “how on earth did you clean up everything so fast?”
    He shrugged and brought over their drinks before they even ordered them. “I couldn’t sleep. It wasn’t that big a deal.”
    “It was. I mean, look at the place. I don’t know how you did it. How did you do it this fast? I thought I was supposed to help.” For some reason she felt put out. It wasn’t rational.
    Dante leaned over and kissed her forehead, and she blushed at the brotherly feel. “I know, sweets. I’ll make sure to make a mess later that you can clean up.”
    “Stop patronizing her,” normally calm Nadie ordered.
    Dante raised his hands in surrender and backed off. “Let me know if the three of you need anything. Are the rest of your girls coming in?”
    Lily shook her head. “No, just the three of us tonight.”
    He smiled and went back to the bar.
    “He’s such a jerk sometimes.” Nadie scowled.
    Lily raised a brow and looked at Jaime, who had an equally confused expression. What the hell?  Nadie was the quiet and reserved one. What had Dante done?
    “Is there something we should know?” Jamie asked tentatively.
    Nadie froze then blushed, a red that flamed out straight to her ears. “No.” She coughed. “No, not at all. I just didn’t like the way he teased you about your OCD.”
    Yeah. Sure.
    “Okay, if that’s all.” Lily didn’t believe her one bit, but she didn’t want to step on any toes. Nadie would let her know what was going on when she felt comfortable. She wouldn’t push. It would only further alienate her friend.
    “How is everyone feeling?” Lily asked. She’d been feeling slightly off since the lightning strike or whatever the hell that was. Were the others feeling the same?
    Nadie shrugged. “Fine, I guess. I don’t really know what I’m expecting to feel. I don’t feel any different, but I think the fact that I don’t feel bad makes me feel like something’s wrong, you know?”
    Lily nodded. “Exactly.”
    “It was just a freak storm,” Jamie added. “We’re fine.”
    The three looked at each other as unease settled in Lily.
     “So, did Lily tell you about the real reason she’s here tonight?” Jamie asked, a sly smile on her face, breaking the tension.
    Lily scowled and threw a pretzel from a bowl that had been on the table when she got there, which the black-haired beauty promptly ducked.
    “Hey!” Dante called out. “This isn’t the lunchroom cafeteria. No throwing food.”
    Lily blushed and refrained from throwing one at him. If Becca or Faith had been there, they would have done something, but she didn’t have it in her.
    “Tell me, Lily.” Nadie smiled. “Why are you here?”
    “Can’t I just come here to talk with my friends?”
    “She met a man!” Jamie giggled.
    “Ooohhh.” Nadie joined in the laugher.
    Lily covered her heated face with her hands. It was as if they were twelve. Dear Lord. It wasn’t like she never dated. She was old enough to have some experience. Okay, very, very , little experience, but geez.
    “Shut up, both of you. It’s not like that.”
    “Oh, really?” Nadie raised a brow, a knowing smile on her face. “Then set us straight. How exactly was it?”
    Lily let her head fall back and she closed her eyes. What did she expect? These were her best friends, and Shade would be there any minute. She could at least warn them.
    “Fine. I met a man named Shade…”
    Both women oohed and ahhed at his name, and she threw another pretzel.
    “Act like adults!”
    “You’re the one who just threw food!” Jamie laughed.
    “Fine. I won’t say anything else.”
    Nadie’s eyes widened, and she failed