“Tori… you know I’m looking out for you.”
I sucked my teeth. “Well how about you try not doing that, huh? Because what we’re not going to do is act like you have it all together, as if you’re the queen of great decisions. Oh, and let’s not forget I introduced you to your husband!” I hissed across the table, trying my best to keep my voice down and not make a scene in the restaurant. “Des, you were in the same damn boat I am, whining about how you couldn’t find a good man, but refusing to— wait a minute, is that why you would never let me set you up with anyone? You encouraged me to start my business, but didn’t trust me to do it for you.”
“It wasn’t li—”
“Save it, Des,” I interrupted, pushing my chair back from the table. “I’m gonna go drown my helpless, lonely sorrows at the bar. Don’t follow me.” Ignoring the open-mouthed stares of my dinner companions, I walked away, purse in hand as I made my way through the crowded restaurant.
As soon as I sat down at the bar, I ordered a margarita. Maybe a little inebriation would bring about some much needed clarity, because I was confused as hell. I had been a little withdrawn from Des lately, and on the surface, I’d thought it was my guilt from what had occurred between Avery and me. I didn’t like keeping secrets from Des, but I realized now that keeping it to myself wasn’t just because Avery was her brother. I just didn’t want to hear Des’ mouth about it.
Des had been my friend for years, and I still considered her one, but she was being more and more vocal in her criticisms since she started dating Drew. Once they were engaged, it got worse, and now that she was married, the only time she wasn’t talking about her family or herself was when she had a ‘suggestion’ to make. Frankly, it was getting tiresome. She was getting tiresome, but I knew she was going through a lot of big changes at once, finding out she was going to have a baby just a few weeks after her wedding. Therefore, I tried to give her a little leeway, but tonight, she had gone too far. I didn’t need her protection, and I wasn’t a charity case. Going off on her brother on my behalf? Unnecessary, and rude.
This was definitely not turning out to be a good last night in Chicago, yet another parallel with the trip to the Maldives. When the waiter delivered my drink, I took a sip, hoping the cold, icy texture would sooth my residual anger, but the way I was feeling… I needed at least three more.
Thirty minutes later, I was still on the first one when I heard a familiar voice behind me. “You’re not gonna need a designated driver are you now Ms. Kennedy?”
With my guard significantly lowered by the tequila, I grinned up at Avery as he slipped onto the empty barstool beside me. “If all goes according to plan, I might. Are you volunteering?”
“If the need arises, but I hope you’re not gonna let my crazy ass sister drive you to drink.”
I shrugged. “Not just her… but, I’m joking anyway. That was the plan when I sat down, but now that I’m talking about it, it seems silly. Did they send you over here to get me?”
“Kind of. After the uh… incident, everybody decided it was best to call it a night. Des wanted to talk to you, but we— collectively— convinced her it wasn’t a good idea. I did promise to make sure you got back to your hotel safely though, so here I am.”
“What are you, my personal security now?” I asked, playfully bumping his shoulder with mine. “Why is everybody so concerned with my protection? Do I seem that fragile?”
“To me? No. But to Des… well, you’ll have to talk to her about that.”