“Sorry.”I laughed and pulled out both our IDs. “This is a spare for you.”
“How do you have so many fake IDs for me?” She flipped the small card over as we approached the door.
“Because,” I paused dramatically to tell her the story of why and how I have so many but got distracted instead. I sniffed the air, picking up a whiff of something delicious.
“Are you okay?”Ari waved a hand in my face.
I blinked and everything came back into focus. My eyes scanned the lot for whatever scent was permeating the air, but it was already gone.“I’m fine.”I ran a hand through my hair as we started walking again, trying to shake off the weird craving.
“What was that? You were staring at some guy until he got in his car and left,”Ari said.“It was really creepy. And then your eyes got all dark.”
“My eyes gotdark?”That seems like something important I should know, but I cannot for the life of me figure it out. I tugged at my hair, trying to remember.
“Dark purple. They’re normal again now, but it was creepy as fuck.”She paused tolet meenter the bar first, thenflashed her fake license and came in behind me.“You’re feeling okay, right?”
“Perfectly fine!”I brushed her off and led the way to the bar area.Too many questions, not enough drinking. I waved atSean and hopped onto the nearest stool.
“Wow.”His attention was on Ari as she sat beside me.“You’re, uh… new clothes?”
“Kind of.”She glanced down, trying to hide her blush.
“You look nice. As always.”
“Thank you. Here’s your key.” She fished it from her purse and gave it back. “We dropped our stuff off at your place. Thanks, again.”
“No problem.”He smiled while she smoothedher hair.
“Hi,Nate!”I shouted as I spotted him further down. He’d just finished serving a drink to someone.“C’mere.”I waved him over.“It seems like you’re in here every time I come to hang out. Why’re you always here?”
“I’m not. Maybe you just like following me?”
“Ha, you wish.”I rolled my eyes as he smiled.“Why is it so empty in here?”
“It’s a Tuesday night. This shift is always slow.”Sean leaned against the bar, still taking in Ari’s outfit change.“You guys want anything?”Hegestured to the assortment of alcohol along the wall.
“Yes, please!”
“I can’t. I have to drive.”
“Yes, please!”I repeated.
Sean laughed and grabbed a glass, but Ari stopped him.“No?”he asked, looking between us.
“No. She’s not drinking.”
“Why not?”I whined.
“You’remanic,”she said, dropping her voice.“You shouldn’t drink.You actually need to call Dr. Kelsey, remember? You were supposed to this morning.”
“Oh, c’mon.”
“Emy, you shouldn’t drink right now.”
“I kinda agree.”Sean slowly put the glassaway.“You haven’t been yourself for a couple days.From what I can tell, at least. If she says you shouldn’t drink, you probably shouldn’t.”
“You guys are being ridiculous.I’m perfectly fine and there’s nothing wrong with me. You’re acting like I’m about to explode and it’s pissing me off.”I stopped ranting when something caught my attention. The scent from the parking lot. I licked my lips, gazing around to pinpoint its source.
“You’re zoning out again.”Ari nudged my side.
