“You take it,” Sarah said.
“We won together.”
“I’m the GM of the largest resort on the island. If I want free food, I can get it.” Sarah pressed the card into Lizzie’s hand. “Take Chrisla or whoever.”
After shaking hands with their rivals and enjoying a free round of drinks, they walked out into the night. Lizzie felt good. A little buzzed but good. The bar crawl was planned. Sarah had apologized. They’d won trivia together.
And yet, that feeling of contentment didn’t last. Outside, out of nowhere, the night air hit Lizzie like a wall. Her stomach lurched. She stumbled to the side of the building and threw up into the bushes.
“Jeez!” Lizzie braced herself against the wall. “I’m so sorry. That was unexpected.”
“Don’t apologize.” Sarah was beside her, pulling Lizzie’s hair back. “Just breathe.”
Lizzie threw up again. Her whole body shook.
“Okay. We’re getting you home.” Sarah pulled out her phone. “I’m calling a car.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine.” Sarah’s voice was firm but gentle. “The car will be here in three minutes.”
Lizzie let herself be guided to the curb. She sat down heavily, her head spinning. Sarah sat next to her, one hand on Lizzie’s back, rubbing slow circles.
“I don’t usually drink this much,” Lizzie mumbled.
“Then that’s my fault. I assumed college kids all drank this much.”
“Did you when you went to college?”
Sarah looked at her, then away but didn’t answer. Lizzie would have followed up if she weren’t feeling so terrible. As it stood, she let it go.
When the car arrived, Sarah helped Lizzie into the back seat. Lizzie tried to sit up straight, but the world kept tilting. She ended up lying down across the seat, her head landing in Sarah’s lap.
“Sorry,” Lizzie said again.
“Stop apologizing.” Sarah’s hand found Lizzie’s hair, fingers threading through it gently. “Just close your eyes.”
Lizzie did. Sarah’s fingers kept moving, stroking her hair in a soothing rhythm. It felt incredible. Lizzie wanted to lean into the touch, wanted to turn her head and press her face against Sarah’s stomach.
She could smell Sarah’s perfume. Clean, subtle. Minty. Could feel the warmth of her thigh under Lizzie’s cheek. Sarah’s fingers traced patterns on Lizzie’s scalp. Down to her temple,behind her ear, back up again. The touch was careful, almost reverent. And so soothing.
“You have really soft hair,” Sarah said quietly.
Lizzie didn’t trust herself to respond. Her whole body was aware of every point of contact. Sarah’s hand in her hair. Her head in Sarah’s lap. The way Sarah’s breathing had changed.
The car ride felt like forever. When they pulled up to employee housing, Sarah helped Lizzie out and up the stairs. Lizzie fumbled with her keys.
“Let me.” Sarah took them and unlocked the door.
Inside, the apartment was dark. Sarah guided Lizzie to her bed and sat her down.
“Where’s your bathroom?”
Lizzie pointed. Sarah disappeared and came back with water and a damp washcloth.
“Drink this. All of it.”
Lizzie drank. The water helped. Her head was still spinning but her stomach had settled.
