“I guess it’s a good thing I don’t plan on leaving your side tonight.”
“Any chance you want to fill me in on what Kelly said?”
She doesn’t answer right away, and I observe the people in line in front of us. There are two guys talking to each other. One is wearing a long coat with a cape. He has a pipe held in one hand as he talks and a cap on top of his head. The other man is wearing a bowler hat with a navy coat, and I think a fake mustache. It could be real, but I doubt it. I rack my brain trying to figure out where I’ve seen those characters before.
“Not a chance.” Jaylen finally answers. She nods to the men in front of us, and adds, “but if you really want to know, I’m sure Sherlock and Watson could puzzle it out.”
10
Jaylen
The partyjust started and there are already people milling about inside. I think this is the first time I’ve seen people arrive on time for an event. Most of the time, fashionably late is the standard. I guess with an event like this, people want to soak up as much fun as they can.
Patrick’s eyes are wide as he takes in the venue. I’ve been here for a few concerts, but I’ve never seen it decked out quite like this. I bump into his arm. “So, what do you want to do first?”
“A drink.” He nods toward one of the bars, “definitely a drink.”
His hand grips mine as we weave through the crowd. The line at the bar isn’t too bad since it looks like they have multiple bars throughout the space. This isn’t even all of it. I can’t wait to see what else they have set up for us to explore.
There is a menu sitting on top of the bar when we make our way to the front. “It doesn’t look like they have anything either of us drink. Do you know what you want?”
He glances over the menu and scrunches up his nose. Everything includes liquor, and he made it pretty clear he doesn’t drink it often the other night. I wonder if he’ll go with water instead. “Not yet, do you have a preference?”
I tap my finger on my chin, trying to decide so I don’t hold up the line. There’s only one drink that includes rum. “Let’s go with Lucifer’s Demon.”
Patrick laughs loud, causing a few people around us to jump. “You realize why that’s funny, right?”
“Nooo.” It’s a drink. Why in the world would it be funny.
“What are you dressed as?” He waves his hand in front of me, “and what’s the name of the drink?”
“Oh my God.” Now, I’m the one laughing. He’s right. It’s funny. “I wonder if it’s as sinful as the name implies?”
“There’s only one way to find out.” He waves at one of the bartenders and they come over. “Can I get a Lucifer’s Demon and a…Red Rum?”
So, he is going to drink tonight. Let’s hope he handles it better than he did when we were teens. The only difference between now and then? I’m fully capable of speaking up for myself and letting him know that I do in fact want him as more than a best friend. Even if we’re only getting back into the friendship groove, I want, no need him as more than that. I have for years.
The bartender slides our drinks across the bar and Patrick hands him a couple of bills, motioning for him to keep the change. We grab our drinks and Patrick reaches for my hand again. Sliding mine into his, I can’t help the gut feeling I have that this is right. This is how it should be, and how we should have been all these years if I wasn’t such an idiot as a teenager.
Patrick leads us to a secluded section to the side of the dance floor. We watch the party goers having the time of their lives for a few minutes before he turns to me. “I think I’m glad I came tonight.”
“You think? What else would you be doing tonight if you weren’t here?” I have to yell to be heard over the music. His answer will let me know a little more about who he is now. Also, if he has any hobbies outside of work.
“Probably doing something similar. But I’d be on the side of the staff instead of an attendee.” So, he’d be working. “My boss has started doing events like this at the bar for holidays. I think she’s even planning on doing some sort of cupid thing for Valentine’s Day. It seems pointless to me, but themed events bring in more business.”
“That sounds like a lot.” I can’t imagine this mostly shy man mingling with people at these events. We’re the same when it comes to large crowds of people, especially ones we don’t know. If it wasn’t for Hannah and Kelly, I wouldn’t be here. “How do you handle it?”
“Easy, I stay in the kitchen.” He grins down at me, and I’m glad he has an area he can get away. “The crowds aren’t horrible when we have the events. It’s mostly our regulars and a few folks from surrounding cities stop by to see what the bar is all about. But I’m usually busy with whatever themed food they’ve planned.”
“How do y’all keep the bar open and do these events?”
“When we do them, we only have the bar open for the ticketed event. It’s closed to the general public. But we make enough off of the events to keep doing them. At least, I assume we do. Otherwise, I don’t think Angie and Carlos would keep doing them.”
“At least the crowd isn’t the size of this.” I gesture with my drink to the people surrounding us.
“Not even close. Thank God.” He looks down at my costume and the smile that crosses his face warms my entire body. “You’re the brightest person in this room.” He holds his drink toward me, and I clink mine with his. “Thank you for inviting me.”
Honestly, if he hadn’t agreed to come, I wouldn’t be here. As much as I love my friends, this isn’t my scene. I’d be at home curled up with a glass of wine watching a show I’ve seen a million times before.
