Page 94 of Power Play

“I’ll agree to the drinks, as long as I can borrow your black Jimmy Choo’s,” I say with a sigh, knowing there really is no way I’m getting out of this tonight.

“Okay, I’ll be at your house at eight. I’m picking out your dress as well. No arguing. See you soon!”

She hangs up.

I look down at my watch and see it’s 6:45. I have just over an hour to get home, eat, shower, and be ready for her intense energy.

Bring on the tequila.

***

It’s 7:45 when I hear my apartment buzzer go off. Blaire is here, early as usual. I look down at my robe as I walk over to let her up. At least I had time to shower and eat something, but I’m not ready.

“You’re early,” I grunt into the speaker as I buzz her in.

“Yes, but I brought the shoes and I can help you with your hair. Oh! And I have tequila,” Blaire says.

“You should have led with the tequila,” I grumble into the speaker as I she comes up the stairs. I walk over to the door and let her in.

She’s smiling as she walks in with bags in hand, bumping into me as she tries to give me a hug. She’s cheerful, but not the normal cheerful that I’m used to from her. She’s surpassed normal. She’s practically bouncing with energy.

“What’s happened?” I ask, looking at Blaire as she continues to set her stuff down in my living room.

“What do you mean?” she asks, with a perplexed expression like she doesn’t understand.

“You’re happy. Like cheerful. And smiling. Why? What’s happened?”

“It’s nothing! I’m just excited to go out tonight. It’s been a while since we’ve been out. I know just the place too!” Blaire says, way too excitedly, as she pours us each a shot of tequila.

“Why do I feel like I’m not going to like where this is going?”

“Oh. Well, remember that guy from last week? From the modeling job?”

“Yeah . . .” I say, still looking at her confused.

“Well, it took him a couple of days, which was making me nervous. But he finally reached out and wants to meet up with us tonight at Lucky’s.”

Blaire looks up at me with a smile, and I know there’s no way I can be annoyed with her. It’s just that she knows I hate going out in larger groups and having to socialize.

“I know I said tonight was all about the two of us going out and celebrating, and finally finding you a man, but I was just so excited I didn’t know what to say to him when he asked!”

“So, wait, now I’m going to be the third wheel? No thank you, Blaire!” I shoot my tequila back and grab a lime from the bowl. “I’ll stay home, you go out.”

At least this way, I might actually get to stay in for the night. She doesn’t need me for a date.

“Nope! It’s perfect! He’s going to be there with some of his friends who are in town for a bit. I’m sure they’ll be fun! Besides, out of towners? What better way to have a one-night stand?” Blaire jokes. "Are you mad?"

“Blaire, I’m not mad. Just hadn’t prepared myself for a group event. It’ll be okay though, totally fine. Just give me a minute, and more tequila. I mean, at least I get to meet this guy you keep talking about. But I’m sure as hell not hooking up with one of his friends.” I look at her, expecting her to argue with me, but she just smiles.

That’s the look she gives when she’s planning something she knows I’ll hate.

Fuck.

Grabbing the tequila, I pour us each a shot. She starts talking as I take mine, so I grab hers and take it as well. If she expects me to go out tonight with what she has planned, I’ll need the alcohol more than she does.

***

Two hours and two more shots later, our cab pulls up to the curb of Lucky’s. As we hop out of the car into the chilly fall air, I’m happy we took all of those tequila shots before we got here. The gentle numbness my body is feeling and the warmth in my tummy is helping battle the coldness of a Chicago night in October.

---