I can’t fight the smile.
“I appreciate you guys.”
“As you should,” Casey teases as our bottle of champagne appears before us. Joe pours Casey a small amount to taste before she gestures for him to fill us all up. He does and slips away again, giving us a few more minutes to decide on food.
“To Freya, to leaving the past behind us and focusing on a bright and successful future.”
I smile at my friend, a ball of emotion crawling up my throat and tears burning my eyes.
“To the future,” I whisper as I clink my glass against hers and Parker’s.
“I need a selfie to send to Summer,” I state after we’ve all had a sip.
“Yes,” Casey agrees, moving to stand behind us while I hold my cell out. We all smile at the camera, and I quickly shoot the picture to my cousin.
She replies almost instantly.
Summer: You look incredible. Enjoy your night out. You deserve it x
As expected,the food is incredible, and by the time I finish my dessert, I am one happy girl.
We’ve finished our bottle of champagne and have moved on to mocktails. Thankfully, they’re just as delicious as if they had alcohol in them. They’re also a harsh reminder that we’re nolonger young enough to drink on a school night. I have many fond memories of my time in Las Vegas working in a cocktail bar, but I can honestly say, none of them are of the occasions I found myself at work still drunk from the night before. I’ve certainly had finer moments.
We continue chatting long after our plates have been cleared, not ready to end our time together yet, when our server comes over with another trayful of drinks.
“These are courtesy of the man at the bar,” Joe says.
All three of us turn to look.
“Oh,” Parker breathes as our eyes land on a suited man with a martini in his hand. He lifts it to us before moving it to his lips for a drink.
My stomach knots as anxiety shoots through my veins.
“Holy shit, Freya. He’s looking at you.”
Hearing that Casey has registered the same thing as me has my heart beating even faster.
“And he’s hella hot,” Parker points out.
I swallow nervously before twisting back around and focusing on my new drink.
“You should go talk to him,” Casey encourages.
I shake my head. “We’re having a girls’ night.”
“So? Have you seen the way that suit fits him? Girl, that man could definitely show you a good time,” Parker exclaims.
“Like all the ones you hooked up with before settling with Linc.”
“Firstly, I didn’t settle with Linc,” Parker argues, making Casey laugh. “And secondly, none of them looked like that.”
“I’m really okay,” I tell them. I reach for my drink but hesitate before my fingers connect with the stem of the glass. Will he think I’m accepting something if I drink it?
What if he sees and comes over?
I tug my hand back and place it in my lap, hating the way my shoulders curl in. I’ve been sitting up straight all night. Why is it that a man I’ve never met before in my life has the power to send me back into my shell?
“It’s okay if you’re not ready,” Casey says supportively.
