Page 24 of Little Monster
A waiter approaches within a minute, and he starts with our drink orders.
“Two caramel apple martinis,” Jordan says, ordering for both of us.
I still think it sounds gross, but I’m willing to give it a try. I told myself on the drive over that I was going to go with theflow tonight. When else in my life will I ever have the opportunity to party with LGC? This is my one and only chance, and I’m going to enjoy it.
Easy conversation flows around the table, with Sebastian leading most of it, unsurprisingly. Dex remains silent, though I do catch his eye at one point, and his stare is so intense that it flusters me and I quickly look away.
“Martinis for the ladies,” the waiter says when he returns, a tray of drinks balanced expertly upon his palm.
The alcohol looks like apple cider, though it smells like vodka and butterscotch schnapps. The glass is rimmed in caramel and topped with cinnamon sugar, and it’s so pretty I almost don’t want to take a drink.
The waiter passes out the rest of the drinks, and I note that Dex is having a whiskey neat. Even his drink order is sexy.
“Don’t drink yet!” Sebastian says. “We’re celebrating, so someone should make a toast.”
Lucas groans. “Dude, not again.”
“It’s a tradition.” Sebastian narrows his eyes, and I get the feeling he’sveryserious about his traditions. Then his gaze locks on me, and I wish I could shrink out of sight. “Come on, Nora. Do the honors.”
Everyone looks at me, including Dex, and my first instinct is to insist that someone else do it. But I’m holding a martini, wearing a skimpy black dress, and am out at a fancy restaurant with Loaded God Complex, and I’m somehow able to scrounge up enough confidence to lift my glass.
At first, I don’t know what to say, but Sebastian and Michael both give me encouraging smiles, and I swallow down my nervousness, deciding to speak from the heart.
“It’s been terrifying and exciting getting to know you all. I would never have believed you if you told me I’d be sitting down to dinner withliteralrock stars.”
A few laughs go around the table.
“I’m grateful I had the opportunity to collaborate with you, and... I hope the song shreds.”
Even Lucas smiles this time. I raise my glass higher, and everyone joins me. We clink them together, spilling a few drops of alcohol on the crisp white tablecloth, and then I take a sip of the caramel apple martini.
It puckers my lips at first, and I’m not sure if I love it or hate it. But after another sip, it starts to warm my insides, and I decide Jordan’s right: it’sdelicious.
“Told ya,” Jordan says, jostling me lightly with her elbow. Under the dim lights, her hair looks white blond, and her silver earrings wink when she tosses her hair over her shoulder. “All right,food.”
I peruse the menu, and my stomach starts to sink.
It’s almost all meat based, and there’s hardly anything thatdoesn’thave an animal on the ingredients list. Maybe I should’ve told them I’m a vegetarian, but that never comes up naturally in conversation, and I didn’t want to inconvenience anyone. I’d assumed a fancy place like this would have plenty of plant-based options, but now I’m almost wishing we’d opted for Chipotle; at least they have sofritas.
My concern must be apparent on my face, because Sebastian leans forward, a furrow in his brow. “What’s wrong? Don’t see anything you want?”
“Um...” I let out an awkward chuckle and push a strand of hair behind my ear. “It’s not that, I just... don’t eat meat.”
Lucas scoffs, and I try not to let heat rise into my cheeks.
This is why I don’t like going out to eat with people. There’s almost always someone who thinks my diet is silly or stupid or just plainwrong, and they usually let me know. Loudly.
“Why not?” Sebastian asks, though he seems more interested than disgusted.
With my gaze down at my menu, I say quietly, “I like animals. I don’t want someone to hurt them just so I can eat them.”
“That’s stupid,” Lucas says, and across the table, Alisha shoots him a scathing glare.
“No, it just means Nora has principles.” Dex’s voice is hard, and when I look over at him in surprise, his sharp gaze is leveled on Lucas. “But you wouldn’t know anything about that.” Lucas opens his mouth, but Dex holds up a hand. “Just shut the fuck up, dude.”
A beat of tense silence goes around the table, and then Sebastian launches right back in.
“I think it’s cool,” he says, and he reaches across the table to bump my fist. “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
