While I almost choke, Mandy’s gaze remains steady on me.
“You like him?” I ask, confused.
“No.” She violently shakes her head. “It’s just—he’s sweet. But super cute,” she amends. “And I’ve known him forever and I feel sort of protective over him. So don’t break his heart.”
She taps my shoulder before she walks away and I blink rapidly, unsure of what just happened.
“Hey.” I glance up and Daniel stands before me. “Mind if I sit with you?”
“Sure.” I shrug, trying not to let Mandy’s comments make things weird between us. Still, I’m nervous about what he’s about to say. I take the last of the shooters and drink it. He smiles but sighs and I watch as he gears himself up to say something.
“Take another shot with me.” The words burst out of me because I don’t want to have to turn him down. Mandy’s right about one thing. He’s cute in that nerdy superhero way. With his dark hair and black-framed glasses, I have to wonder if he has on a blue and red leotard under his suit. Or maybe that’s the alcohol talking. Before he can answer though, I order another two rounds. The drinks start to go down easier, especially after the fifth one.
I’ve managed to stave off any dating topics and only traded smiles. I thwart any opportunity on his part to speak by shouting toasts to everyone, from our boss to the janitors in the building. But now I’ve run out of excuses.
“Cate, I was wondering—”
The music stops and Mandy’s voice booms out of the speakers.
“Cate! Where are you, girl?”
Feeling unsteady myself, I can still tell she’s been drinking much more than I have because her words are slurred.
“Wait, that’s me,” I say pointing to myself. I frown when I notice it’s harder for me to communicate than it should have been.
“Cate, Catieeee, come sing with me,” Mandy croons.
The crowd begins to chant my name and I glance up at Daniel. My eyes feel heavy. Yet, this is the escape I’ve been searching for.
“I gotta go. But I’ll see you later.”
I sway a little when I get to my feet and Daniel’s hands are there to steady me. In fact, he helps me navigate the crowd.
“You have nice hands and nice teeth. I like a man with good teeth,” I absently say.
Daniel shakes his head. “Be careful up there, Catie,” he teases as helps me up on stage and it feels like old times. I think of Jenna and I miss her terribly. She is planning a visit and what will I tell her about Drew… I mean Andy. That’s going to take a bit of getting used to.
Mandy is cracking up before the song even comes on. When the popular tune begins, I know the song automatically. I sling an arm over my friend as we begin to sing enthusiastically. Daniel is our only coworker who managed to snag a spot up front. With lights bearing down on us, I have no one I know to focus on and I end up serenading Daniel so my semi-embarrassment won’t cause me to puke. Unfortunately, the song Mandy picked isn’t quite the message I’d wanted to send. The crowd’s enthusiasm urges me on.
I know I just met you,
And this is crazy,
But here’s my number,
So call me maybe!
Sometime after karaoke and a few more rounds of shots, I’ve forgotten the mess I’m creating. Daniel is by my side the whole time encouraging me not to drink but not stopping me either. By the time we make it out of the bar, we’re hot and sweaty. Daniel is flagging us a cab while trying to keep Mandy and me on our feet. The frigid air should have been a balm, yet I can barely put one step in front of another.
“Catie, I’m so glad you moved here,” Mandy slurs. “The office was so dull until you showed up.” We finally stumble to a stop near the curb.
I place my arms on her shoulders needing her to focus on me as I tell her how I feel because feelings are important. “I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t met you. It’s a cruel, cruel world but you’re the happiest person I’ve ever met. And I need happy. You’re my bestest friend, but don’t tell my best friend I said that. Jenna’s not normally a jealous person, but don’t piss that girl off. She’s a scrapper.”
Mandy nods because she gets me. “I promise I won’t tell. We can be secret bosom buddies.”
We hug until Daniel breaks it up. I want to tell him that even though I’m not into him, I’m not into girls either. His voice interrupts my swirling thoughts. Now, I’m no longer sure what was so important for me to say.
Daniel and his four doppelgangers steady us. “Come on ladies, be careful of the snow and ice.”
I feel like I’m on a ship. “The boat is rocking. I think we might capsize. Where are our life vests?”
“Cate.”
That voice, I know it. I spin and the world tilts.
“It’s the Titanic all over again,” I call out as I fall forward.
I never reach bottom. “Thank god for the life vest,” I mutter. I feel it tight around me.
“Cate,” the voice says again.