Rolling my eyes, I was just thankful we were on our way back to the car. “Come on, crazy lady. Let’s get you home and in bed.”
“I’m not going to bed.” She shook her head and fluttered her eyelashes at me. “I’m going to mount Corey and make Skyler a big sister.”
“Oh boy, you might want to rethink that when you’re sober.” I laughed, hooking my arm through hers so she didn’t trip over her own feet . . . again.
“Ooooh, look at that pretty sign.” Sadie squinted her eyes as we got closer to the chalkboard easel. “Oh my God.” She tossed her head back and laughed way harder than the lame forecast joke on the sign called for. “We have to stop in here, that’s hilarious.”
“Can we not?” I whined, begging her with my eyes. “This place is owned by a couple of athletes, and it’s like cheering for the wrong team. I can’t, in good conscience, step foot through that door.”
“Fine.” She pulled her arm away dramatically, waving it around in the air. “Then you can stay out here with the other party poopers, but I’m going in to check this place out. Have fun, Debbie Downer.” She flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder and stuck her nose in the air as she strutted past me to the door, but instead of looking cool, she tripped up the first step. Before I could make a motion toward her, she recovered and leaned up against the brick wall, giggling as she pointed at the ground. “Woo! If you decide to come in, watch that first step. He’s a tricky little bastard.”
The loud roar of laughing and talking filled the quiet street as she opened the door. I leaned to my right just a tad, pulling the parking garage sign on the next block into focus.
Damn. So close.
I let out a heavy sigh and followed her into the bar.
“Sadie!” I called out, weaving my way through the thick sea of people.
Great. Two feet from the door, and I already lost her.
“Sadie!” I yelled louder.
“Dani!” I followed the sound of my name to Sadie, who was waving me over to a tall pub table in the far left corner. I could only see the tip-top of her head and her arm waving wildly. “Over here!”
I gently pushed and shoved my way over to her, where she was profusely thanking the three guys that were just getting up. They stopped and stared down at me as I made my way around the back side of the table. I nodded politely as I passed them.
“Maybe we should stay after all and hang with these two ladies,” drunk guy number one yelled loudly, leaning in close to drunk guy number two.
“I was just thinking the same thing,” drunk guy number three joked. “These two hotties just made this whole night a lot more interesting.” He set his phone back on the table and smirked at me.
I watched with a blank stare as he wiggled his eyebrows up and down. My eyes slid down to his. “Well, one of the hotties is married, and the other would be more excited to scrape the gum off the bottom of this table than to hang out with you for the evening.”
“Oooooh,” drunk guy number one and drunk guy number two whooped at the dis to their cocky sidekick. Drunk guy number three opened his mouth to respond, and I held my finger up close to his lips.
“Don’t. Just walk away with what little dignity you have left. Trust me.”
Sadie started giggling wildly behind me, with sporadic hiccups mixed in.
“Let’s go.” Drunk guy number two pulled on drunk guy number three’s sleeve. “She’s not worth it.”
Drunk guy number three hesitated, staring at me.
“He’s right.” I shrugged. “I’m not worth it. Not even a little.” With that I waved my arm in the air to get the attention of a waitress nearby. “What do you want to drink?” I asked Sadie, kinda hoping she’d tell me she’d changed her mind and was ready to go home. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the three drunk stooges turn and head toward the front door.
Thank God.
“Ooooh, I’ll take a vodka and cranberry.” Sadie blinked at me half a dozen times, trying to focus her eyes.
I giggled at my obnoxious but adorable best friend. “You sure you can handle another?”
“Mm-hmm.” She pressed her lips together and smiled as she struggled to keep her eyes open. “I haven’t been drunk in months. I need to build my tolerance up again.”
“Okay.” I raised up on my tiptoes, waving for the waitress again. “Crap.” I lowered my arm. “She can’t see me. I’ll go up to the bar and get our drinks. Do not leave this table or someone will take it, understand?”
Sadie nodded.
“Repeat what I just said.”