Gray:
I fear I already took off my bra. Don’t hate me!
I understand! I guess I’m drinking alone.
Gray:
Unless you meet someone cute!
Very funny.
Poppy:
Be safe. If you need a ride, call one of us.
I will. See you all in the morning.
I hesitatefor a couple minutes and then get out of my car to walk across the parking lot.The bar is surprisingly empty for a Saturday night, and when I check the time on my phone, I realize it’s only six thirty, so the main crowd isn’t here yet.
I find an empty barstool and wave the bartender over.
“Whatcha drinking?” he asks.
“Any specials?”
“No. Just the usual.”
“I think I want an amaretto on the rocks tonight.” He nods and walks away. I pull out my phone and typeapartment for rent near meinto the search bar. I scan the available listings.
Fourteen hundred dollars a month.
Twelve hundred dollars a month.
Twenty-four hundred dollars a month.
Every single one of them is so expensive.
Eight hundred dollars a month. I click on the listing, and my stomach turns when the pictures pop up on the screen. It’s an apartment in the basement of someone’s house. It’stotally givinglive with me so I can use your skin to make a suitvibes. Hard pass.
I click back and keep scrolling. Realistically, I have time. I don’t technically have to be out until the end of October, but everyday it seems like more of my neighbors move, and it’s starting to creep me out. I stretch my neck from side to side.
A thousand dollars a month.
Money would be tight, but I could make it work. Maybe.
I click on the listing. Immediate no. Ugh. Why is this so hard? Feeling frustrated, I put my phone back in my purse.
“Thank you,” I say, offering a small smile when the bartender returns with my drink.
Taking a sip, the aroma fills my nostrils. The flavor of almond liquor dances on my tongue before warming my throat as I swallow down one sip and then another. I’m staring off into space when I feel a firm grasp on my shoulders.
“What the hell?” I yell, whipping around.
“Boo!” Tanner says, letting go of me.
He looks like he came straight from a business meeting. He’s wearing dark dress pants, expensive shoes, and a white button up shirt. His sleeves are rolled up, and the top couple buttons of his shirt are undone.
I didn’t know he owned clothes like this. My brain starts moving in a weird direction, thoughts about how good he looks beginning to trickle in, and I internally panic. I try to hide my emotions, but that’s not a skill I’ve ever acquired, and he catches me.
