“Curiouser and curiouser,” I told my glass.
It disappeared and another sat in its place. My mouth dropped and I jerked back. Dahlia’s face was amused as she watched me.
“You’re doing something to our drinks,” I accused.
She arched an eyebrow as if to say ‘took you long enough’ and then moved down the bar to help another customer.
I whacked Caroline on her arm. “We need to be careful. I think she put something in our drinks. Something that can get us drunk.”
She giggled into her glass. “It’s too late for that.”
I looked at her in dismay. “Oh no.”
She nodded. “Oh yes.”
I shook my head. No. Drunk Caroline and drunk Aileen were an awful combination.
She didn’t wait for my protest or my recommendation that we should maybe head home. “We’re up next!”
She bounced off her stool, dragging me behind her. Our path was going to pass the women Dahlia had pointed out and I got an idea. One that I probably would have ignored at any other time.
I looked Caroline in the eye. “Sorry about this.”
She gave me a startled glance, her mouth opening on a question. I checked her with my hip, timing it perfectly for when she was off-balance and sent her flying into the women’s table.
The alcohol and surprise slowed her reaction time. She crashed into the table with a hardoomph. The women grabbed onto it reflexively, reaching for their glasses, but not in time. Two of their drinks tipped over.
The thin brunette grimaced in distaste, brushing at her hand, which was now covered in her drink.
“Oh my gosh, I am so, so sorry,” Caroline gushed.
I fought to contain my laugh. She sounded like a bubble-headed idiot with more peroxide than sense in her head.
I schooled my expression to sympathy, unsure if I was successful, especially when Caroline started patting at the woman’s arm with her hand.
“I’m just such a klutz sometimes,” Caroline said, still with that fake voice. “Let me go get you a napkin.”
She toddled off even as the woman said, “No, that’s not necessary.”
The woman’s face turned frustrated until she noticed me watching her. I gave her a bright smile. “I hope we didn’t ruin anything.”
The three shared a glance, visibly withdrawing, unease and suspicion on their faces.
“It’s nothing,” the brunette said with a strained smile.
I pegged her as the ringleader for these three and gave her another sunny smile in return. Nothing suspicious about this set of circumstances. Just a drunk vampire and werewolf crashing into things.
Dahlia had watched the entire thing go down and had the napkins waiting at the bar when Caroline arrived. She grabbed them and headed back to the four of us.
“What brings you to the Blue Pepper?” I asked. “Are you going to join in karaoke night?”
The woman in charge gave me a hard smile. “No, we’re just out to enjoy a few drinks with friends.”
Caroline arrived just then. “You should sing. We are. We’re performing Toxic.”
I nearly choked. “That’s what you chose?”
She gave me a taunting smile. “I thought it appropriate. Next time you shouldn’t be so resistant.”
