“I’m here with my friends,” the woman said. “Everyone went upstairs to do a group thing. I love hanging here, but I’m not into acting out a scene or the orgy that’s gonna follow. I’m don’t want to have sex with my work friends.”
Caroline’s guts churned. “I kinda just did that.”
“Yeah, I’ve been there and things got weird after. I hope that doesn’t happen for you.”
“We used to work together,” Caroline explained.
“Hey, how’s it going?” asked a man behind them.
The women turned. It was Stan.
Ugh.
He was the last person she wanted to see on her birthday. “Hey, Stan.”
“I’m surprised to see you here,” he said as he waved down a bartender.
“Why?”
“Well, you kinda dumped me, so I figured you’d be laying low for a while.” He regarded the other woman. “I’m Stan. What’s your costume?”
“I’m an attorney, dressing up like an attorney.”
Caroline laughed. “I like that.”
“Why aren’t you in costume?” Stan asked. “I’ve never seen you in street clothes.”
Her phone buzzed. Caroline read the text.
I’m at home. I thought you’d be a while. How was it?
Caroline took one more sip of the bubbly water. “It was good to meet you,” she said to the woman. “I’m gonna take off.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Stan said.
“It’s okay,” Caroline protested, but Stan went with her.
Outside, the cold wind whipped through her as she paused on the sidewalk near the entrance.
“Whatcha doing?” Stan asked.
“Calling for a rideshare.”
“I can drop you off,” Stan said. “I was leaving anyway.”
She hesitated. “I’m good.”
He shot her a smile. “Look, I live with my parents in Fairfax. Unless you’re way out the toll road, I’m probably passing by your house. It’s no big deal.”
She shivered. “I’m not inviting you in.”
Stan chuffed out a laugh. “I didn’t think you would. We’re friends, even though I don’t know your name. We had fun, butI’m over you. No offense. Why don’t you text someone that I’m driving you home, you know, for safety.”
“What’s your number?”
He gave it to her. She snapped his pic and texted her sister.
Grabbing a ride from Stan
