See Me After Class(57)

“I have a name too,” Cora says, sitting up. “Shall we take a vote?”

“It would be the democratic thing to do,” Keeks says.

Stepping in, Stella says, “Cora, since you hosted, let’s hear yours first.”

She nods, the room growing serious as Cora clears her throat. “I was thinking we call it the Ladies in Heat Book Club.”

Stella and I both laugh as we nod. “Oh, that’s amazing,” I say.

“Preposterous,” Keeks says. “Such a name degrades us in a manner I’m not comfortable with. We’re not feral cats, strutting with our tails up, searching out a male suitor to ease the ache in our loins.”

“You might not be . . . but I am,” I say, realizing . . . huh, maybe I’m drunker than I thought.

“We could always call it the Reptile Brain Book Club,” Cora deadpans.

“Mockery isn’t a pleasant shade on you, Coraline,” Keeks says, causing Stella to snort and Cora to laugh as well. “But that was a well-placed burn, so I offer my compliments.”

“Uh, thank you?” Cora asks with confusion.

“Okay, Keeks, what was your well-thought-out and researched book club name?”

Sitting taller, chin jutted out, Keeks says, “The Austen Empowerment Collaborative.”

Silence . . . as everyone stares at Keiko.

“Austen, as in Jane Austen?” I ask.

She nods. “What a woman of her time.”

“It’s . . . nice,” Stella says.

“Very womanly,” I add.

“Yup, both those things,” Cora says while tapping her chin.

“Shall we take a vote?” Stella asks. “All in favor of The Austen Empowerment Collaborative, please raise your hand.” Keeks raises her hand with pride, but that’s it. No one else. “Okay and all those in favor of the horny book club name—”

“Ladies in Heat Book Club,” Cora corrects her with a smile.

“Yeah, all those in favor of the Ladies in Heat Book Club, raise your hand.”

Unfortunately for Keiko, Cora, Stella, and I raise our hands.

“Blasphemy,” Keeks says, fist hitting the armrest of the couch.

“Sorry, Keeks,” I say, “But the other one is funny and I had a lot of wine.”

“Shall we vote when two of the members haven’t lost control of their faculties?”

“No,” we all say at once.

“Very well. We shall be referred to as the Ladies in Heat, I hope you are delighted with yourselves.”

“Oh, quite delighted,” Cora says and yawns, stretching her arms over her head. “Okay, ladies, I think our first meeting must come to an end.” She points at me. “You’re not driving. You can stay here.”

“I can take her home,” Stella offers.

“Nonsense. She’d just have to come back here and pick up her car. Arlo has a great guest room full of everything you’ll need.”

“He won’t mind?” I ask.

“Nope, and he’s not even home to vote. Keeks, are you okay to drive?”

“I didn’t consume any alcohol.”

“Yeah, but from the way you’ve been stroking the cover of the Scot book, I wanted to make sure you’re not accessing the reptile part of your brain.”

“If I was accessing the reptile—”

“Please, for the love of God, no more,” Stella says while standing. “Enough arousal talk for the night. A girl has to return home alone, after all.”

Laughing, Cora stands as well and starts gathering empty plates. “Can you ladies just help me clear the coffee table so Arlo doesn’t lecture me in the morning about leaving dirty dishes out?”

“Of course,” we all say.

Together, we clean up our mess, wipe the table down, and leave the kitchen and living room spotless, as if we weren’t even there. We say bye to Keeks and Stella at the door, making sure everyone has each other’s phone numbers, and then Cora, with another giant yawn, shows me to the first-floor guest room, fully stocked as promised, and the attached bathroom.

“Are you sure Arlo won’t mind? I feel kind of weird staying at his place without him knowing.”

“I’ll text him, let him know. Don’t worry. He’d rather you stay than drive home.”

“Okay.” I give her a smile and then pull her into a hug. “I’m so glad you accidentally walked into my classroom.”

She hugs me back. “I’m glad I did too.” When we pull away, she gives me a soft smile. “I really needed the friendship, so, thank you.”

“No, need to thank me. I needed a girl group. You made that happen.”

“Nothing some sliders and mini quiche couldn’t accomplish.” She sighs. “Okay, you all set?”

“Yup. I have everything I need. Goodnight.”

“Night.”





Chapter Twelve





ARLO





Cora: Don’t freak out if you see a random person in the house. Greer is in the guest room. Wine was consumed tonight.

That’s the text that greeted me when I got home a little past eleven.

Now that it’s one in the morning, I still can’t seem to get it out of my mind.