“I thought we were going to have to clear the room for a second there,” Mel teased when we made it back to the table.
“I’m saying.” Miranda laughed and slapped hands with her. “Are y’all ready for another round?” she asked pointing to her glass.
“I think I’ve had enough,” Leila giggled.
“Oh, come on. One more!” Mel pleaded. “A shot this time and I won’t ask for anything else.”
“A shot?” Leila groaned.
“Just one.”
“Don’t let Mel talk you into drinking more if you don’t want to.”
“Shut up, Ki,” Mel said and elbowed me. “She’s letting her hair down tonight, so what do you say, Leila? One more shot?”
“Fine, but this is really my last one.” Leila smiled. “I’m already heavily feeling the three drinks that I’ve had.”
“Perfect, so Ki, three tequila shots for the ladies and whatever you guys are having.”
I nodded and prepared to go get our last round, but when Leila got ready to walk away, I paused.
She smiled up at me and said, “I’m just going to the restroom.”
“I can walk you over.”
“No, I’m fine. By the time you get the drinks, I’ll be done.”
I wasn’t feeling it, and my cousins must’ve noticed it because they both got up and offered to go with her. I watched them until they got to the area where the restrooms were then I went to get their drinks since the men all agreed that we didn’t need anything else.
The ladies returned a few minutes after I got their drinks. Mel wasted no time taking her shot, forcing the others to do the same, then dragging them both back to the dance floor. I enjoyed watching them. Melonie had a way of bringing out the best in everyone around her; I appreciated her making Leila feel like she belonged and was part of the family. She even had Miranda, who was a true homebody, out of her element, so it was refreshing to see that as well.
When they returned, we all agreed that it was time to go. The girls originally rode together in Mel’s car, but she and her friend were going back to her place, so I told Leila to ride with Chris, Miranda, and me since we were all going back to the same place.
While Miranda and Chris went to grab the car, I waited outside of the restroom for Leila because she said she had to go again. When she returned, I helped her into her coat and the two of us waited outside for my cousin and her husband.
“Leila…” both of us turned in the direction of the voice. There was a middle aged man in a tan trench coat approaching. “Damn, girl, I hardly recognized you.”
“Hi, Zach.”
He tried to lean in for a hug when he was close enough, but I extended an arm as a barrier.
“I’m just trying to talk,” he defended. “I’m a friend.”
“Well,friend, if all you’re doing is trying to talk, use your mouth. Not your hands.”
His brows furrowed with confusion as he eyed the two of us.
“This is my boy’s wife…”
“Was,” Leila corrected. “He petitioned me for a divorce which I’m positive you know about.”
“Naw, I?—”
“Why do you keep walking up on her?” I frowned. “Talking doesn’t require you being in her personal space.”
“I’m sorry, who are you?”
“Doesn’t matter.” I stuffed my hands in my pockets, squaring my shoulders. “Keep your distance and your hands to yourself.”
