Test Drive by Marie Harte

I should have kept that to myself.”
    “You really should have. Because every time you talk about the guy, it’s like you’re trying harder and harder to tell yourself not to give him a shot. I say go for it.”
    Lara frowned. “I’m trying to focus on school.”
    “Take a break.”
    “ You take a break.”
    “If I was as interested in Johnny as you are, I would have tried him on for size years ago. But I haven’t found a man more exciting than my future salon yet. When I do, I’ll go for it.”
    “Says the woman who’s never met Mr. Really, Really Wrong.” Lara chuckled and drank the rest of her wine. “Maybe you should come to my next lunch with the family. Talk to Kristin a little. I know! You can hang out with Ron and see what you’re missing.”
    “Thanks, but no. And I’ve already had my ‘milk bath’ for the month.” Rena frowned. “For the record, make sure Amelia knows I did not get any lighter.” She held up her arm. “I’m always going to be café au lait. Not malted milk.”
    Lara laughed. “Too bad. Malted milk is Amelia’s favorite flavor.”
    Rena rolled her eyes.
    “But I still say men are nothing but trouble. My sister has been through the ringer. Donna and Josie are going through some stuff at work, and let’s not even talk about Sue’s mess with Foley.”
    “Done and dumped, huh?” Rena shook her head. “I told that girl not to do more than fool with him. Sure, sex him up. He’s gotta be good in the sack. But much as I love Foley, he’s not about settling down. And that’s all Sue talks about lately. Girl is baby crazy.”
    “I know, right?” Lara munched on some cheese and crackers. “You know, these aren’t that bad. But you could maybe have some nachos or chips on the side, so you don’t look like the major suck-up we know you are.”
    Rena gave her the finger, which made Lara laugh, because Rena looked so cute while trying to appear tough.
    “What about you?” Rena asked. “Feeling the need to have kids yet?”
    “Nope. I’m only twenty-seven. Maybe having nieces I can see every day has taken away the need. That or I’m just too tired trying to take care of myself, let alone tiny mouths to feed.”
    “I hear you.”
    Lara felt guilty, knowing how hard Rena worked, yet she’d given Lara a free cut. “I can pay you for the haircut, you know.”
    “Shut up.” Rena scowled. “I’m just saying I know when money’s tight. I’m doing okay now. In fact, if I wasn’t saving every penny for my salon, I’d be flush.” Rena’s eyes lit with excitement. “I’m so close. I figure a little more to go in the bank, so I have money in case of an emergency. I’ll nab a few more clients, and then I might finally be ready to break out.”
    “Here’s to your big plans.” Lara clinked her empty wineglass against Rena’s. “I’ve been telling my classmates about you.”
    “I know. Michelle came to see me a few days ago. Your word-of-mouth is helping, girlfriend. So no paying for the haircut. We’re even.”
    “If you say so.”
    “I do.” They ate in silence for a moment, only the munching of crackers to be heard before Rena said, “So about coming to book club—”
    “ No. ” Lara had heard from Del that one had to be firm with the bookaholic staring at her with those puppy dog eyes. “I don’t have time to read more than anatomy books. And I’m not a fan of romance.”
    “That’s just sad.”
    “Oh, can it. The next time you see a happily ever after work out where the name McCauley isn’t attached, let me know.” She snorted. “That family is sappy, sweet, and unreal.”
    “Jealous much?”
    “Are you kidding? Of course I am.” Lara laughed with Rena, but at the mention of romance, her thoughts strayed to Johnny again.
    He’d said no to Cara. She wondered if he’d been seeing some other woman instead. Perhaps he’d made up a story for Cara to spare her feelings. Lara could see Johnny doing that. He might get around when it came to the