Page 37 of In a Pinch

Grabbing my purse out of my bottom drawer in the desk, I turn on the answering system and log off my computer.

“How about we meet back at Isla’s around 7:30 or 8, and then head out?” Being that my apartment hunt lately has been going terribly, it looks like I’ll be living there forever.

“Sounds great!” She practically bounces out of her chair, and we make a beeline for the weekend.

“We’re not going out until 8:30. That’s only thirty minutes before my bedtime!” Isla’s voice borders on yelling.

Just as I thought, the four of us girls fit like perfect puzzle pieces. There hasn’t been a moment of silence since I finished Regina’s round of introductions. Liv and Isla make it pretty much impossible to not feel comfortable.

“Calm down, Grandma. Have a Red Bull. It will be fine. We all know that once you get a drink in you, we will have to drag you out of there at closing time,” Liv chimes in as she leans forward over the bathroom sink in my room. Flicking her wrist, her eyeliner turns out in the perfect cat eye.

While Isla was never truly wild, she was always down for just about anything. It seems that Cal has domesticated her more than I thought. Girls’ night is just the thing to do a little reversal of that. Bring her feral side out once more. Plus, we have to get her kidneys and liver warmed up for her bachelorette party in May. We’re planning on staying in a house on the beach and doing a bar crawl. We’re in for a real treat if her alcohol tolerance is as low as I think it is going to be.

Isla’s eyes light up as she hops onto the smooth marble of the bathroom counter. “Hey, how are things going with Shaun?”

“They’re okay so far. We talked about going out again this weekend, but I’m not getting my hopes up.” How do I tell her that, while he is nice, we have absolutely no sparkle? Maybe that can be nurtured out, but something about it doesn’t feel quite right. I just know that she will tell me I do this every time. So, choosing to not tell her seems like the best course of action at this moment.

“You’re such a Debbie Downer. He was hyping you up to the whole office. They’re asking if I have any more hot, single friends.”

“Funny you should ask.” I wrap my arm around Regina’s shoulders. “She was just asking to be set up with a hot, successful businessman. Know anyone worthy of the task?” Thankful for the deviation from me and Shaun, I offer up Regina as a diversion.

She stiffens in my hold, “Hey! I was only joking. You’re making me sound desperate.”

“Give me a week, and I’ll find you a good candidate.” Isla winks at her, kicking her feet in excitement. She should have been a matchmaker with how much she enjoys this.

We spend the next hour touching up our makeup and getting ready for a night out on the town. It’s just large enough of a town that not everyone is up your ass about your personal life, but not so big that you won’t run into someone you know at the grocery store. So, the chances of there being fresh faces at the bar are high.

After getting ready, we move to the kitchen bar to get a little pre-game in us before our Uber comes. I dart back upstairs to change because I did not trust myself to ruin my clothes while getting ready.

Standing in my closest, I stare at my options. I tap my foot as I debate on wearing the dress from my last date night, but my little black dress is literally begging to leave the closet. It’s asignature look for girls’ night. Until now, there has not been one single night on the town since I moved down. If we’re going to do it, we’re going to break some necks while we’re at it.

“Damn, someone isn’t planning on paying for her drinks tonight,” Liv says as I step off the last stair. I paired the black dress with my chunky black heels. They add some height, but have enough stability that I won’t be falling into anyone else’s crotch. I hope. Ugh, my ego cannot take another hit like that.

“Looks like none of us are.” I wiggle my eyebrows as I look over at everyone’s choices.

Liv chose a rocking bodycon top and a pair of blue jeans that practically look like they were painted on her; it perfectly flatters her long frame. Isla’s skinny blue jeans are stuffed into a pair of knee-high leather boots and paired with a long-sleeve white shirt. Regina’s red dress fits her like a glove, and I know without a doubt, I’ll be beating the men off her with a stick.

We do one final cheers as the Uber shows up. “Here’s to the first of many girls’ nights, new friends, and free drinks,” Isla says as she holds her glass up in the air.

We pile into the Uber, fitting snugger than a pack of sardines in the back, while Liv sits comfortably in the front.

The Uber driver chuckles as a slightly drunk Regina yells out, “Play some tunes!”

“What’s your choice?”

“Obviously, 2000s hip-hop.”

We jam and sing our way to the bar. Finally pulling up about fifteen minutes later, we shuffle out of the back and make our way to the door.

The music is blaring and the bar is packed. I scan the floor for a table for us all to start the night out at, but am not finding much. There are three stools at the end of the bar free, so I lead the way. When I get to there, I recognize one face behind the bar.

“Glad to see you back in here again. You look like you’re in better spirits.” Theo wipes down the counter and gives me a genuine smile.

“Hey, Theo. I am! Thank you. Just was a rough day.”

“Totally understand. What can I get you ladies?”

“A round of Tequila on me!” Liv says, apparently wanting to start the party off on a strong note. Good luck to every other soul in this bar.

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