AllFreeNovel
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“Thanks for showing, Angie.” His smile is so genuine that I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness. Did he really think I wouldn’t come tonight to support him?
I give him a nod and a look that means I wouldn’t miss it. “This is Bryce. We have human behavior class together on Mondays and Wednesdays. Oh, and a lab. Bryce,” I say, pointing to each of my friends, “This is Zander, Resa, Blake, and Claire. Claire is my roommate.”
“Nice to meet you guys.” He sets his empty bottle on the bar and then raises his hand out—as if to catch a cab—in the direction of the bartender. “Ladies, what are we drinking? I got this round.”
Resa bounces in her seat at the mention of more alcohol. From the looks of it, I am not quite sure she needs more. But who am I to judge? Claire smiles warmly in Bryce’s direction and mouths a “thank you.”
“L.I. Teas?” I suggest, knowing that something strong would settle my thoughts that have been flying all over the place this week. Time to unwind.
“Vodka diet soda for me,” Resa says sadly. “I know, boring.”
The bartender moves over to our group. “Two Long Island Iced Teas and a Vodka with Diet Coke. And three beers on tap?” Bryce asks, eyeing Zander and Blake for approval. He passes over his card to pay for the order, smacking hands with the bartender, who he obviously knows. I am not sure if Bryce works while he studies, however, buying everyone a drink can’t be healthy for his budget.
“Thanks, man. I got it next time,” Zander insists.
“I have appetizers coming,” Blake chimes in. “I put in the order about twenty minutes ago.” I whoop at the thought of a fun evening with friends, drinks, and pub food.
“So, when do you go on, Z?” I check my cell and see that it is twenty minutes till ten.
“I’m like the third act,” Zander responds. “But, I am getting a bit nervous because Kendra isn’t here yet.”
I mouth an oh, hoping that he is not disappointed if she flakes last minute. My heart flutters at the thought of him being let down, as excited as he has been for this night. The once-a-month occurrence sparks a liking among the locals. The place probably is barely making fire code right now. I doubt any more people could fit inside this shoebox.
As soon as the seat beside me is vacated, I sneak up on it joining the girls while the guys chat behind us. Our drinks arrive, garnished with lemons, limes, and oranges. I take a sip and cough. Holy shit, these are strong.
The appetizers arrive ten minutes later. Boneless chicken bites, breaded mushrooms, cheese sticks, carrots and celery, and burger sliders are arranged in two oversized foil-covered plastic baskets. Everyone grabs a tiny paper plate to fill.
The first act takes the stage at the front of the restaurant to set up and prepare. The elevated bar area is prime for viewing and the easiest place to order food. It is amazing that we even scored a spot here.
As the alcohol infuses my blood stream, I feel light, carefree, and topic-less. My thoughts frantically bounce from one idea to the next. The high-pitched giggle fits from the girls only harmonize with my own.
I turn my swivel stool to see Zander leaning over me, his elbow resting on the bar. His eyes glance between my drink and my face, his look amused. “Okay, Ang, I think you need to pace yourself. You’re going to fall.”
“I’s good.” My lips feel a bit numb.
He chuckles and fixes a stray hair behind my ear. “You’s good?”
I nod my head quickly and instantly feel nauseous. “I’s not the best.”
“Eat some more food, please,” he suggests, passing me his half-filled plate. “Here’s some water. Drink it all.”
I smile at his thoughtfulness, but really cannot figure out why he is treating me like this. Something changed over the summer. I just cannot put my finger on it.
I didn’t even finish my drink, and I feel just lovely. And light. And lusciously liquefied.
“I love words that start with L.”
“Do you now?” he asks with mirth in his eyes.
“Yuppers. And all the rest of the words that have letters that start in the alphabet from our beautiful dictatorary.”
“Pretty sure that word doesn’t even exist.”
I shake my head back and forth over the nonsense that spews from his mouth. I am coherent enough to know that what I am saying sounds ridiculously accurate. I sip on the water and douse a mushroom in honey mustard. I lick off the dip and ignore the mushroom entirely. So good. “You know, the place where all the words go to mingle.”
“Sounds pretty magical, if you ask me.”
“Oh, it is!”
