Insecurity and a Bottle of Merlot by Bria Marche Read Free Book Online

Vic gulped down a glass of ice water and asked Morey for another. Her foot bounced up and down against the bar rail. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Mia park outside and come through the door.
    “Let’s get a table, okay?”
    “Sure. Hey, Morey, we’re grabbing a table over here.”
    “Yeah, Mia, no problem. I’ll be there in a minute,” he yelled back from the kitchen as he finished an order.
    “What’s got you all twisted up?”
    “I don’t know. Something must be wrong with me. The hottest guy on the planet wants to hang out with me for the entire day tomorrow, and I’m freaking out.”
    “What the hell for?” Mia took off her sunglasses and set the menu down.
    “Because he asked me out. He went to my cousins wedding with me because I kind of insisted. He agreed out of pity.”
    “Are you out of your friggin mind? Why would you even say that?”
    “Mia, look at yourself. You were with him first. I’m the runner up, the consolation prize… if that. He is way too hot to honestly be interested in me.” Vic looked around for Morey to take their order. “Should we get a bottle of wine?”
    “Sure, hon.” Mia yelled across the restaurant. “Morey, get out here and take our order. Bring me a pan to whack Vic over the head with too.”
    “Mia, jeez!”
    “Vic, Max likes you a lot. Why are you being so insecure right now? Haven’t you looked in the mirror lately? You’re hotter than shit. I can see that, and he can too. Every available guy in Westchester County can see that, for crap’s sake. Come on, what’s really going on? You’re the most ‘full of yourself’ babe I know. If it’s about Max and me, I’m going to slap you right now, I swear.”
    “But… ”
    “But nothing. How many times in our lives have we gone out with the same guy at one time or another? Shit like that happens, especially when you live in a small town. Honey, I’m in love with Aaron. He’s going to be the man I marry. Max and I had thirty-six hours of horny hormones going nuts between us. We both get that, and I want to remain friends with him, but only if we’re all in agreement. It would be awesome if you guys became more, and Max knows I love Aaron. He asked you to spend the day with him tomorrow because he likes you. Since when have you ever been insecure?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe I don’t even want a boyfriend. I’d have to watch Max every second, as hot as he is. Every girl in a fifty mile radius would be trying to get in his pants.”
    “Max is a diamond in the rough, and has no idea how hot he is. That is, except from us. We tell him all the time. Max is a few years older than we are. He doesn’t have a girlfriend, he’s never been married, and he does field trips with the Boy Scouts. He might be ready to get involved with somebody. Timing is everything, and maybe it’s time. What will be, will be. See where it goes, and all those stupid clichés. Really, Vic, go out and enjoy the day tomorrow. If there’s another date planned, see what happens. Wouldn’t it be great if all of us ended up coupled with someone? We could live in Tarrytown forever and raise our kids together. We’d have barbecues every weekend and pool parties.”
    “Who has a pool?” Vic asked, with a pout.
    “Nobody yet, you dummy, but in a few years somebody might. C’mon, let’s order, I’m hungry.”

Chapter Eight
    Vic was wide awake late into the night. The reassurance Mia gave her at lunch still didn’t settle her nerves. What is it about Max that has me so insecure? We had a great time at the wedding, flirting and all. But now? Does he likes me, or does he only want to date me to be close to Mia? Vic glanced at the clock on the nightstand: 2:14 a.m. She stumbled to the kitchen, over tired and irritated. A cup of Sleepytime tea might calm her nerves. She plopped down on the recliner and clicked the remote, flipping through the channels to find something boring enough to help her fall asleep. She stopped