Free Insecurity and a Bottle of Merlot by Bria Marche Page B

she got out of the car. “It’s huge and welcoming with the wicker chairs and table. Look at the ferns.” Sasha was beside herself with excitement. “Do you think there are other houses this nice for sale, in this neighborhood?”
    “Well, that’s what Mr. Hot Stuff is going to find out for you, if you decide to hire him. Tell him you want a house similar to the ones on Oak Terrace Lane. He’ll know what you mean.” Mia unzipped the side pocket of her purse and pulled out Aaron’s house key. “C’mon, let’s go inside.”
    “Why don’t you have Aaron’s house key on your key ring?”
    “I will eventually. I’m going to wait until I actually live here. Then, the house will feel like mine too. Right now, I’m a very privileged visitor. Hold your breath, Sasha, you’re going to love this place.”
    Mia pointed out the original hardwood floors and elegant crown moldings. Even the hanging light fixtures were period pieces. The banister and newel post to the second floor was hand carved walnut.
    “Come outside and see the backyard, it’s gorgeous.” Mia led Sasha back down the stairs and through the kitchen to get to the beautiful red brick patio in the back. They sat for a while, each enjoying a Diet Coke. Ancient oaks shaded the entire yard, cooling everything down. “This is the primo place to have a party. You can do something like this too as long as you find a house with big trees. A deck, or patio off the kitchen would be perfect for entertaining. Well, it’s almost noon. Do you want me to drop you off at Tony’s?” Mia asked, as they locked up Aaron’s house and walked down the driveway to her car.
    “I guess so. It would be rude to cancel at the last minute, right? Crap, I told Mr. Redmond I’d be wearing a yellow dress. I wasn’t thinking when I threw on shorts and a tank top.”
    “Who cares? You’ll get there early so you can sit and watch. Believe me, that player will be hitting on the ladies, at least until he thinks it’s time for you to walk through the door.”
    “How will I recognize him?” Sasha asked.
    “Hang on.” Mia spun the car around and turned left on Locust Street. She pulled up to the building where Redmond Brother’s Realty was located. “There, on the window.”
    Mia pointed out an advertisement showing a picture of both brothers shaking hands with prior clients. “The one on the right is Josh,” she said, with a chuckle, waiting for Sasha’s reaction.
    “Holy shit! Thank God they aren’t identical twins. Who could handle two of anything that gorgeous? They’re both perfect.”
    “Ya think? I told you so. Does Josh know you’re single?”
    “Well… yeah I told him because he called me Mrs. Renaud.”
    Mia cracked up laughing. “Girl… with your beautiful face and his ego, all I can say is, look out.”

Chapter Twelve
    Mia dropped Sasha off near the front door of Tony’s Club. “He’s here already, probably prowling for his next conquest,” she said. “See that gray Infinity across the street? That’s his car. Good luck. Don’t get sucked into his charm and keep your legs crossed. Those shorts are pretty skimpy. Call me once you peel him off of you.”
    “Eww, that’s so wrong, Mia!”
    Mia laughed and gave Sasha a thumb’s up as she pounded her car through the gears and barreled down Main Street.
    Sasha walked into Tony’s. She had never been there before and didn’t know the layout of the place. She crossed through the old squeaky doors, to find a darkened, but rather upscale bar area. It was nothing like she pictured in her mind. The bar was horseshoe shaped with about thirty barstools cozied up to the rail. It reminded her of an old school, Frank Sinatra, type of supper club. It was a hidden treasure you might come across somewhere on a side street in Manhattan. The dining area was to her right, a little brighter and decorated nicely. Sasha was lucky to find a vacant barstool as Tony’s appeared to be the happening place for the lunch