The bartender slides our shots across the bar, and we raiseour glasses in unison. After a quickclink, we down them in one smooth motion.
“When I started nursing school, he became unbearably clingy,” Serena says, setting her shot glass down. “I thought things would get better, but lately I?—”
She spots Randall nearing us and quickly drops the conversation.
It’s impossible to enjoy ourselves with Randall in our presence. Every time we start talking, he butts in and makes it about himself.
“Mazikeen! Annalise! Ah, it’s so good to see you two lovely ladies!” Mazi and I turn toward the voice. Standing before us is a lanky man with red hair and freckles across his cheeks.
“Oh, hey,” I reply, giving him a wave.
“Girl, who is that?” I whisper to Mazi.
“Hell if I know,” she replies. “He is pretty cute, though.”
“Do you remember me? I’m Austin Roberts,” he says, flashing me a toothy grin. “We went to high school together.”
“Oh, that’s right! We, uh, had biology class together.” I pull something out of my ass, hoping he doesn’t notice that I’m completely blanking on who he is.
“Ah, so youdoremember!” His smile widens.
“I had the biggest crush on you in high school.” He steps closer to me, and I nearly pass out after I catch a whiff of his rancid breath. This man clearly hasn’t picked up a toothbrush since we graduated high school.
I glance at Mazi, wanting to signal for her to save me, but she’s deep in conversation with a beautiful woman next to us.
He leans in and I hold my breath, trying to control my face.
“So… are you seeing anyone right now?”
“No, I’m riding solo,” I reply, forcing a smile.
Austin is pretty cute, and I might’ve gone for it if it wasn’t for his poor dental hygiene.
Sifting through my purse, I reach in and retrieve my pack of gum. “Do you want some?” I ask, holding it up.
Please say yes.
“Nah, I’m good,” he says.
Fuck me.
Mazi taps me on the shoulder. “Hey, do you mind if I go dancing?”
The woman she’s been chatting with rests a hand on Mazi’s hip, staring at her with pure lust.
I want to screamPlease don’t leave me, but I don’t want to clamjam her.
“No, you go ahead! I’ll join you in a bit.”
Mazi gives me a quick smile, takes the woman’s hand, and disappears into the crowd.
I scan the bar, looking for Serena, but she’s nowhere to be found. Maybe she and Randall got into an argument.
Austin stares down at his phone, letting out a long sigh. “Ah, damn, my buddy just canceled on me.” He slings his arm around my shoulder, and my body stiffens at his touch. “So you get the pleasure of keeping me company for the rest of the night.”
I let out a nervous laugh. “Well, aren’t I lucky?”
I wave at the bartender to order another drink. This is going to be a long night…
