Page 107 of Choosing Forever
“I’m okay with that.”
The bathroom door opens, and a woman walks in. She doesn’t spare me a look before diving into a stall. I roll my lip between my teeth, thinking.
“I’m drunk.”
“I know.”
“Be here before I change my mind.”
“I’m nearly there already.”
“And it’sDelaney.”
I hang up the call and leave the bathroom before I can talk myself out of this. Poppy’s still where I left her, but she’s moved on to some sort of frozen drink now. There are two tall red slushies waiting on the bar when I slip back onto my stool.
Taking a sip of the drink, I moan at the sweet strawberry flavour. The alcohol is hidden to the point I only catch the tail of it, making it far more dangerous than vodka shots.
“It’s nice drinking with someone who doesn’t like margaritas. I’m over them,” she mumbles.
“This is way better.”
“You look . . . less sad,” she notes, eyeing me curiously.
I keep my straw in my mouth while saying, “Your brother is coming.”
“I know. He was with the guys when you called.”
“Garrison told you?” I pout.
Maybe it’s the alcohol finally washing away my worries or the whole calling Darren thing, but I’m feeling good now. Free, like if the ceiling floated away, I could grow wings and fly after it. I don’t remember the last time I felt like this.
“He’s coming too. Not with my brother, but with Brody and Johnny,” she says, voice rising and dropping in pitch like she can’t choose which tone she wants to use.
“So, everyone is coming?”
Poppy smacks her lips together and swipes a line of dew off the side of her glass. “Noteveryone.Bryce already has Daisy at home and refuses to give up their alone time. But Anna and Rory are.”
“Okay.”
The back of her hand smacks my forehead. I flinch and whip my head to the side to glare at her.
“What was that for?”
“Checking for a fever,” she says between giggles.
I smack her forehead with the back of my hand. “I don’t have a fever. Do you?”
“Maybe. I’ll ask Garry to be a sexy nurse for me tonight and check.”
“Ew, Pops. I knew that guy was dirty.”
“Is he, or am I?”
“Are you a dirty guy?”
She rolls her eyes and tips her head back to lick my hand. “Don’t judge me.”
“I’m not. Never judged you, Pops. I wish I was half as confidentas you are. You see what you want, and you take it. You demand it!”
