A/N: Chapter four is here! It took me a little while and it's not very long, but here you go :) Enjoy! xx Mariah

The restaurant was full, and humid. Very very humid. The weatherman said the high would be nearly one hundred degrees today and Riley suddenly regretted wearing a black blouse instead of a tank top.

Riley had chosen to wear jean shorts and sandals, so she her legs weren't overheating, but her upper body was going to die of heat in her sleevless blouse if Lacey hadn't got a shaded table.

She looked around at the busy tables for her friend. Riley's eyes skimmed over an old couple were eating side by side, one glass of water for each, studiously bent over their meals. A group of young women in their thirties collapsed with helpless giggles as a stern woman dining alone nearby looked on and frowned sadly. Even businessmen in their grey suits lit up cigars in the corner while tourists nearby were trying to decipher what's good on the menu. A family and their teenage children all chuckling about the names of the meals.

The noise level was high and the smell of brewed coffee fills the air as a waitress walked past her with a fresh pot. Riley looked over each table outside on the patio once more searching for her best friend. She couldn't see her anywhere, but the she then se saw a hand waving underneath a green sun umbrella in the far right.

Yes! She'd gotten the perfect spot, right under the fan.

"Riley," Lacey called out to her, grinning widely as she walked toward the table. "You're here. Thank God. It's so boring without you."

"I don't know why I couldn't find you. You were kind of hidden but still," she laughed and sat down, hugging her from the chair. "Thank the lord you got a shaded spot. I'm dyin' of heat." She took a sip of the water that was there. "This place is nice."

"Right, but it's kind of loud out here," Lacey groaned and sipped her raspberry lemonade with a smile. "Did Evan get home alright last night? I hope he didn't throw up back there. That would be the worst."

"Evan didn't throw up in the back. He got home alright, but he's a dumb when he's drunk and got himself a broken nose." She scoffed, rolling her eyes as she looked at the menu. The prices weren't too bad, but nothing really called out to Riley. "Have you eaten here before?" She asked, hoping Lacey would have a review on any of the food here.

"I haven't, but Dale does. He likes the chicken they have," Lacey said, taking another sip of her drink. "I was thinking about getting an appetizer. How about the fried pickles?"

"I'm trying to stay away from fried and greasy stuff after everything I ate last night," she chuckled. "Maybe we could get a margarita to share? It comes with free chips and salsa."

"Okay. That sounds good. How'd that happen with Evan?" Lacey asked, wanting to the drama. She always did when it came to the brothers.

"Do you really have to ask?" She laughed and signalled for the server. "He probably said something stupid to Kyle like he did when you and Dale were there."

Lacey laughed and nodded her head, as the waitress came up.

"What can I get for you two lovely ladies today?" The waitress asked, pulling out her pad

and pencil with a smile.

"Can we get a margarita to share? We'd like a raspberry one on the rocks," she said with a smile. "And an order of fried pickle"

"Yes. I'll have that right out to you," the waitress said and ducked away.

"Oh my god yes," Lacey laughed. "I'm pumped."

"The dscription sold me," she laughed, looking over the picture. "I love me some fried food. Thank you for inviting me," she said and clinked her water glass with her. "This is going to be great lunch."

"So how was your night with Kyle?" Lacey brought her water to her mouth as the waitress brought the chips and salsa for them.

"I'll be right back with your drink. Would you like two straws?" She held them out and they nodding taking them.

"It was eventful," she smirked and dipped a chip in the salsa, giggling. "We were up most of the night and you know... so eventful that I have marks all over my body from him."

"Ooh I love nights like that," Lacey grinned, closing her eyes slightly to picture a good night of her own with her man. "I can think of a few now that you say that."

"I can think of some others too Lace..." She told her friend with a wicked grin. "It was so nice to have another perfect night with her. Kyle has just been so down lately. I haven't known why and he won't tell me either. He's so withdrawn and angry, but you know how private he can get when he's angry."

"How so?" Lacey asked, dipping her chip.

"He's more irritable and demanding then he has ever been." She sighed, rubbing her forehead. "But we're okay. We're managing. Both of our unemployment checks cover everything this month. Thank God. It almost didn't. We have twenty dollars to go toward the back mortgage. I just think he's just stressed about that. The bank is being all uptight as usual. They are threatening to foreclose if we can't start paying it by next month and he's just worried."

Their eyes graced to the menu and the subject was dropped.

Lacey started talking about how Dale's truckin' business was booming right now. All sorts of deliveries, which meant more traveling for Dale and less time with them together. It took Riley's mind off her financial troubles, for now at least.

"You'll push through it. You always do," she reassured her friend. "I think I'm gonna get the veggie pasta. It looks super good and it'll help balance out the fried pickles."

A whole hour passed before Lacey and Riley laughed as they exited the restaurant.

"This was so nice Lace," Riley said, smiling as she looped arms with her. "I really needed a little time with my best friend. You'll have to come over soon again. With more alcohol this next time because if we hadn't gone hard last night I would've drank more today."

"So true, but I guess now it's time I get back home. I have laundry and vacuuming before Dale's mother comes into town. You know she wants to see you and Kyle before she goes again. You guys had to cancel last time." Lacey said, nudging her. "She leaves Friday, but I know you probably need to go get the kids from the church."

"Kyle's gettin' them. I have to run a payment to the bank," she replied, sighing. "I can't wait to see my babies. The house has been really quiet without them, which was definitely nice, but I miss them so much. We'll stop by when we can. I love Mrs. Lockland. She makes the best peanut butter cookies."

She kissed her best friend's cheek and went to her car, ready to pay bills and get the stressing over them done for this month.