Lacey nodded. “That should be enough info for the exam.” Her stern expression softened into a sweet smile.

Ria knew there was a lot more information behind all the questions, but Lacey did a good job of making sure Ria didn’t waste her time on too many details, knowing she would pick up the details later. It was more important to study for what would likely be on the exam.

They studied for the next three hours before calling it a day. Then they talked about what to do for dinner that night.

“How about Chinese?” Ria asked. She had a coupon for buy one get one free, so it wouldn’t cost too much.

Lacey stared at her. “This is how you pay me back for helping you study?”

Ria smiled mischievously at her friend. “Come on; maybe he isn’t working today.”

“Let’s go somewhere else, and I’ll pay,” Lacey offered.

“No, you paid last time. It’s my turn,” Ria replied firmly. Her friend hated going to Ria’s favorite restaurant because she had a burning hatred for one of the waiters working there.

Peter was a really nice guy, as far as Ria was concerned. However, Lacey felt Peter was lazy and partied around too much, while Peter felt Lacey was too boring and studious for her age.

“Okay, then, but when it’s my turn, I’m picking El Grande,” Lacey said vengefully.

Ria nodded her head. Lacey believed in fair play. Whenever she went to a Mexican restaurant, the waiters treated her to abundant attention and drinks. By the time they would leave, she was often drunk and felt like J-Lo.

Both women gathered their things.

“Ready?” Ria asked as Lacey touched up her makeup.

Ria hid her smile. For someone who declared her dislike of Peter often, she was making sure she looked her best.

“Yep. Let’s go,” she replied, snapping the compact shut.

They always studied at Lacey’s apartment as Ria barely had enough room for herself and her mother in her own. Lacey had wanted her to share the apartment with her, but Ria had been unable to leave her mother behind, even at the cost of being dragged into her world.

Lacey often offered money to Ria, but Ria couldn’t take it. She didn’t want to feel indebted, even though she knew Lacey wouldn’t expect to be paid back. Ria didn’t envy Lacey’s money and taste for the fine things in life, either. She merely wanted to be in the situation to care for herself and her mother. Ria knew she had to find a way to fix the precarious situation they were in, though.

They stepped into the elevator and made their way to Lacey’s Avalon. Ria liked to tease her about her staid car, but Lacey said comfort was more important to her than being flashy. Ria didn’t disagree; her own piece of shit felt like she was sitting on a tractor when she drove.

They slid onto the leather seats and made their way to the restaurant. It was a local place, off the main strip. Most tourists tended to stick to the chains and even most of the locals didn’t realize how good the small restaurant was. It was one of Ria’s favorite places to eat.

As they walked in, they heard their names.

“My favorite ladies. Ria and Lacey, where have you been?” Ria smiled at Peter. He always greeted them with a smile and usually gave her a big discount on food.

“Work and school, what else?” Ria replied with a smile.

“Oh, Ria, you must always make time for fun.” Peter winked at her. “Come out with me, and I’ll show you.”

Ria laughed and shook her head. He was a harmless flirt, yet she couldn’t help appreciating his flattery. He was friendly with Lacey, but was always a little more reserved with her when Lacey didn’t return his friendly chat.

He ushered them to their usual table and went to get their drinks without asking them what they wanted. He always brought them a surprise mixed drink each time they came. So far, they had all been delicious, and she looked forward to whatever concoction he brought them tonight.

“Ria, I think he likes you. You probably shouldn’t encourage him. We may need to stop coming here,” Lacey said.

“What the hell, Lacey?” Ria scowled at her. She was trying to hide the flicker of hurt in her eyes, but Ria had known her friend a long time.

“Do you really want to date a guy who flirts with every woman he sees?” Lacey questioned.

“I thought you liked this place?” Ria asked.

“Yeah, it’s good food—period,” Lacey stated.

Ria started to snap back at her to quit being so obnoxious, but she chose to bite her tongue. Lacey didn’t date often, and when she did, it was with men who shared her serious outlook on life. When a woman looked at Peter, her thoughts would be of sex—wickedly fun sex. Subsequently, Ria was sure Lacey found him disconcerting.

She liked Peter and coming here. She enjoyed returning the harmless flirtations, letting them take her mind off all the crap going on in her life. If she had to come without Lacey in the future, she would. She had hoped Lacey would gradually ease up on him, but Ria had been wrong. Lacey was only becoming more antagonistic.

“Okay. Let’s enjoy whatever he brings us, okay? No worries.” Ria smiled at Lacey and saw her relax.

“Great. He does make a fantastic drink.” As she leaned back in her chair and looked around the room, Ria glanced around the room, as well.

It was about half-full, and she had seen most of the people before on previous visits. She glanced past one of the corner booths and something caught her attention. She looked back. She recognized the man; he was the Rocky-wannabe who had gotten her fired from her EMT job.

“What’s gotten into you?” Lacey asked. “Peter flirting with another customer?”

When Ria stared at her reproachfully, she had the grace to blush at her behavior, quickly dropping her eyes.

“Don’t look, but remember the guy who got me fired from Metro? He’s here,” Ria growled quietly.

Lacey laughed out loud, causing Ria to scowl at her friend.

“That’s how you refer to him, as ‘the guy that got you fired’?”

“That’s one of the more polite terms I use.”

Lacey laughed again, promptly turning her head to look at the man.

“I told you not to look!” Ria exclaimed.

Lacey quickly turned back to Ria. “Ria, you have told me over and over what happened that night. You should have just ignored his comments. The poor guy was obviously in pain, and you acted unprofessionally.” Lacey always had to give her honest opinion. She would never lose her cool with a patient. Moreover, she was right. It was an EMT’s job to soothe the patient, not insult them. Hell, if Ria had thought she could have gotten away with it, she would have strangled the obnoxious man in the back of the ambulance that night.

“Whatever you believe, you’re wrong. He thinks he’s God’s gift to women, and couldn’t believe I wasn’t interested.” Ria huffed.

“That still didn’t give you an excuse.” Lacey shrugged.

Ria knew Lacey was still pissed for being so unprofessional. She hated that her friend was working in the bar.

Ria was disappointed in herself. That ten minute ride had irrevocably changed her life, putting her back in the sights of those she had been hiding from. Lacey had given Ria an earful later that night for her behavior, telling her she should have laughed it off. Ria had taken her opinion in stride. They had remained strong friends through the years because neither of them pulled their punches, nor worried about hurting the others feelings.