Free Cowboy Town by Kasey Millstead

working but working with food .  That’s not normal,” I tell her.
    “I’ve got a cast iron gut.  I never get hangovers.  I’ve been here since six this morning,” she pokes out her tongue.
    “Bragger,” Jules scowls.
    “What can I getcha?” Ava laughs.
    “Large vanilla latte and a chocolate croissant for me.  What are you having?”  Jules turns to me and asks.
    “I’ll have a large caramel latte and a slice of that bacon and egg pie.”
    “No worries.  You guys sitting inside or out?”
    “Out,” we answer in unison.
    “Won’t be long,” Ava says.
    Jules and I make our way outside and pick a table in the sun.  We don’t have to wait long before Ava sets our order down in front of us.  We both breathe deep the aroma of the coffee and make ‘ahhh’ sounds. 
    “Edie, last night Bastiaan and Zekia told me that they’re leaving town in a couple of days to continue their travels.  What do you think about catching up for a meal and drinks at the pub one night before they leave?”
    “Oh no!  They’re leaving?  I thought they’d be sticking around for a while,” I’m saddened by the thought.  I really like Bastiaan and Zekia.
    “Yeah, they’ve been here a while, though.  They want to keep moving – see as much of Oz as they can before they have to go back to Jamaica,” Ava explains.
    “Okay, well I’m in.  I’d love to have drinks and dinner.  Just let me know which night – I work day shifts this week so I’ll be free any time after seven.”
    “I only just met them, but I’d love to be there.” Jules replies.
    “Let’s swap mobile numbers and then I can text you with a time and day.  I’ll ask Bastiaan and Zekia when suits them and we’ll go from there.”
    Jules and I give our numbers to Ava and she programs them into her phone.  The she sends us a text so we’ve got her number.  Ava then goes back in to keep working and Jules and I enjoy our coffee and food with the warm Northern Territory sun beaming down on us.  Bliss.
    After finishing our coffee, Jules and I decide to hire a DVD and spend the day vegging out.  The only place to hire DVD’s was at the supermarket so we headed there, got a couple of movies and some munchies and made our way back to cottage.
    We managed to get through Pitch Perfect, The Hangover and Bridesmaids before we decided to get some proper food for dinner.  Our hangover had long since dissipated but even so, I knew we were going to have a quiet night. 
    “What do you feel like?” Jules asks as she sweeps a coat of mascara on her eyelashes.
    “I saw someone the other day eating the schnitzel so I’m going to try that.  It’s monstrous though so I hope they do doggy bags.”
    “Mmm, that sounds yum.  I think I’ll have that too.”

    We order our schnitzels with Dianne sauce and veggies and make it part way through before we’re fit to explode.  Luckily, they do give doggy bags, so Jules and I take our leftovers back to cottage and spend the night lazing and watching more DVD’s.
    I hear my phone ping its text message notification sound at about half past ten.  Wondering who it could be I reach over and look at the display.  It’s a number I don’t recognize.
    *Figured out a day I can feed you yet?*
    *Who is this?* I reply, knowing damn well who it is.  How the hell did he get my number?  I turn to Jules.
    “Did you give Jackson my number?” I accuse.
    “No,” she answers, dragging the word out.  That, and the way her lips are twitching are a clear sign she’s lying.
    “ Jules! Why on Earth did you do that?”
    “You needed a push in the right direction,” she shrugs.
    “I’ve told you I don’t like him.  He infuriates me.”
    “You say that, but actions speak louder than words.  There’s enough sexual chemistry between you two, to conduct the electricity for this entire town.  That and the fact that you like him - a best friend knows these things even if you’re too blind to admit it.  Is the reason