Page 5 of Bi-Partisan

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

Sophie looks up, confused for a moment like she didn’t know her face betrayed her, then smiles and shakes her head. “Oh, it’s nothing.”

I give her a pointed look and set my phone face down to give her my full attention.

After a long moment, her shoulders slump, and she frowns. “Fine, that was Jeremy. It’s not really a big deal, but we were supposed to go out tomorrow night. We were going to go out to dinner, and—” she shakes her head. “Anyway, he can’t make it now. Something about a last-minute work trip.”

It takes an effort to keep my face neutral. I’ve never had a high opinion of Sophie’s boyfriend. It seems to me that he cares more about his job than Sophie, and the one time I met him, he gave off distinct preppy straight frat guy vibes. But they’ve been together since high school, and I’ve only known Sophie for a small fraction of that time, so I could be wrong about him. Plus, it’s not like I have a leg to stand on when it comes to relationships. I’m thirty-three years old and I’ve never been in a relationship, not a real one, anyway. Passing flings—or situation-ships as Sophie once dubbed them—are much more my speed. They’re easier. Safer.

Still, it doesn’t take a relationship expert to know that even if someone says it’s nothing, it usually very much isn’t. I’ve also learned over our two-year friendship that Sophie never likes to be left alone with her thoughts when she’s disappointed or upset. “Well,” I start, trying to come up with something on the spot, “Casey and I are going to get together for dinner tomorrow. You should join us.” We aren’t, but something tells me that Casey won’t object to spontaneous plans if Sophie is involved.

“Really?” she asks, starting to perk back up already. “Oh! Do you think we could also head to Lavender?”

It takes almost all of my effort not to immediately shoot the idea down. I like The Lavender Gimlet, but usually on a weeknight or on a Sunday afternoon for brunch. The idea of going there on a Saturday night with the crowd and loud music makes me anxious. Not that Sophie knows that. As far as she knows, I’m just a homebody—which is true, independent of the anxiety. Casey is the one person besides my parents that really knows anything about my anxiety disorder, and that’s only because he was the person who convinced me to see a doctor about it after my first full-blown panic attack in college. It’s not something I like to broadcast. But The Lavender Gimlet is one of Casey and Sophie’s favorite places. It’s not like we go to places like that often, and that’s what gin is for. A martini or two usually dulls the social anxiety just enough. No more than that, though, otherwise it starts to have the opposite effect.

Sophie must sense my hesitation because she frowns slightly. “Oh, come on Adrian. It’s been ages since I’ve been dancing because you know how much Jeremy hates dancing. And I also know you like their cocktails. Besides, when was the last time you went out?” She gives me a look as if to say “And by go out, I mean get laid,” although she would never outright say that, even if we weren’t at work.

To be fair, it has been longer than a while, and I prefer meeting guys in person because dating apps are terrifying. But I’m not sure if breaking my dry spell is worth pretending I wouldn’t rather be at home on my couch with my two cats and a bottle of riesling. Plus, I work Sunday, so I wouldn’t even have the day to hermit and recover.

When I don’t answer, she pouts further. “Please?”

That earns a smirk. “You realize that only works on Casey, right?”

I regret it the moment it’s out of my mouth because she grabs her phone. “I’ll text him then.”

If I weren’t in my thirties and a doctor of veterinary medicine and, therefore, a mature adult, I would’ve considered snatching her phone from her to prevent her from using my own best friend against me. But I am, so I accept what is about to happen.

My phone buzzes, and I reluctantly unlock it to read the group text.

Casey & Sophie

Jan 28, 1:53 PM

Sophie

Casey! Lavender tomorrow after dinner?

My phone buzzes with a private text from Casey.

Casey Summers

Jan 28, 1:53 PM

Did we have dinner plans I forgot about?

Jeremy canceled on her so I made up plans. Lavender is all her though

Is it even worth it for me to ask you to say no?

Not a chance

With a sigh, I navigate back to the group chat.

Casey

I’m in!

And so is Adrian

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