“Let’s go, bitches,” Olivia said as she exited the limo. I caught Keisha shaking her head as she followed her out. Olivia handed the driver a one-hundred-dollar bill. We all resituated our dresses, ensuring everything was in place, and followed Olivia to the door. The bouncer didn’t even stop to ask her name. She handed him a one-hundred-dollar bill, and we instantly crossed beyond the red velvet rope.
The swanky cocktail bar was bustling. There were two bartenders with perfectly sculpted beards and a couple dozen patrons standing around. The place was ritzy and chic, like a 1920s throwback speakeasy, replete with red accent walls, rich wood, and dim lighting.
A woman dressed in all black, carrying a clipboard, greeted Olivia. “Right this way, Mrs. Petrov,” she said as she led us to a large VIP table off in the corner with a reserved sign. There were already glasses and ice buckets full of bottles of vodka, champagne, and white wine set out. We took our seats as the woman in black poured each of us a glass of champagne. “Do you need anything else right away?”
We all shook our heads, except Olivia. “Yes, we’ll have five shots of tequila with the wheels.”
I cringed. I had no intention of getting drunk tonight. I just wanted to have a drink or two and leave. But I already knew that was going to be tough to pull off with Olivia here calling the shots . . . literally.
“Count me out,” Jenny said.
“Absolutely not. This is your party, and it’s my treat. I insist. Come on, Jenny. Loosen up. No man wants to date a woman that’s stiff as a board.” Olivia’s voice had an air of lightness, but it was laced with annoyance.
Jenny dropped her shoulders and put her hands up. “Fine. One shot.”
Olivia clapped her hands with a job-well-done attitude.
“I’m trying to keep it low-key tonight too,” I said to Jenny, letting her know that she wasn’t alone. She gave me a small smile.
“No one is keeping it low-key tonight. I didn’t spring for a limo and VIP treatment at the most exclusive cocktail bar in town for a low-key night,” Olivia interrupted.
The shots arrived just as she finished lecturing. She raised hers and narrowed her eyes at each of us, her way of telling us to follow along. We raised our glasses slowly.
“To an extravagant night, courtesy of me,” Olivia toasted. Of course her toast would be to herself. We repeated her words anyway and tipped back the shot, forgetting about the lime and salt.
After my face regained its composure, I looked to Olivia. “Thanks for planning this, and I didn’t mean anything by the ‘low-key night’ comment. It’s going to be a great evening.”
“I know it will, Crystal.” She raised her chin slightly. “I’m sure where you come from, you’re used to beers and dive bars. This is surely a special treat for you.” Olivia attached a smile to her condescending comment. I brought the glass of champagne to my lips and glanced around the bar.
Over Karen’s shoulder, I spotted Shannon sitting at a table alone, sipping at a vodka soda. I quickly looked back at Olivia as not to bring any attention to Shannon. She must be meeting her date here. I stole another glance at Shannon. She checked her phone several times and blew out her cheeks. What were the odds we’d all end up at the same bar? Did Olivia know Shannon was having her date here? Did she plan it or was it all pure coincidence? From what I had known about Buckhead thus far, there were no coincidences.
54
Shannon
I was now working on my second vodka soda, casually glancing around the bar and back at my phone. I told myself I would switch to water after this drink. I noticed a rather handsome-looking man sitting at the bar alone. He also appeared to be checking the time. I gave him a second look to ensure he wasn’t my date. He wasn’t. My date was ten minutes late. I let out a huff but pulled it back in, deciding if his excuse was valid, I’d give him a chance. I was still nervous and anxious about joining the dating scene again after such a long hiatus, but the vodka was helping.
A cackle of a laugh caused my body to immediately tense up. I’d recognize that nails-on-a-chalkboard laugh anywhere. It was Olivia. I looked over my shoulder and spotted her sitting at a booth with Crystal, Karen, Keisha, and Jenny. They were chatting; however, the conversation looked stilted and one-sided. Karen and Keisha were exchanging glances. Jenny was fiddling with her jewelry. Crystal was refilling her drink, and Olivia was laughing—alone I may add. What were they doing here? And why were they all together? As far as I knew, Olivia wasn’t getting along with anyone.
I noticed Crystal’s eyes peering in my direction, and I quickly turned away, hoping she hadn’t seen me. I glanced back again. Crystal looked away. Jenny and Keisha were chatting. Olivia was on her phone. Karen was refilling her drink. Good. She hadn’t noticed me, or at least if she did, she didn’t tell the others. She and I had something in common. We both were able to keep secrets. I took another drink and looked at the time on my phone. He was now fifteen minutes late. I brought up my email, and just as I was about to write him to ask where he was and/or to cancel the date altogether, a message popped up.
Hey so sorry, I’m running late. Got held up at the office. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Promise I’ll make it up to you. —Jonathan
You better be worth the wait.
Before I hit Send, I decided to add a wink face emoji at the end. I had to learn how to flirt again, and from what I’d read online, emojis could be very flirty, if not downright provocative. A plain old eggplant was code for penis. I considered adding that too but stopped myself. I hit Send and smiled as I set my phone down. An email alert chime went off. I picked it up and read his message.
Don’t worry. I am
My smile grew wider. He added the emoji too. He must have been reading the same ‘how to flirt online’ articles I was. I was excited to meet this man. I ordered a third drink from the server but switched to Chardonnay, which was essentially grape water in my book.
55
Olivia
I put my phone down and refilled my drink, making sure to top off each glass with more vodka. Some tried to protest, but I was calling the shots tonight, and if I had to serve them myself to get them drunk, I was willing to stoop that low. Everything was going exactly as I had planned it. The women were just starting to loosen up. Well, kind of. Karen and Keisha were still exchanging looks as if they were trying to read each other’s lesbian minds. What was Karen thinking? How could she do that to Mark? He was a decent lover. I’d know better than anyone—and she’s a mom. She can’t be off discovering her sexuality when she’s got a kid at home and a plastic surgeon for a husband. I didn’t like the way Karen and Keisha were acting on my night, so I decided it was time for a little fun.
“Karen, your spray tan looks phenomenal. Keisha did such a great job on it,” I said with a smile, looking at her pasty white skin. Karen shifted uncomfortably in her chair, rubbing her hands over her bare arms as if she could cover them up. Crystal glanced at Karen’s skin and her brow crinkled in confusion.
“Was the spray tan machine acting up again?” Jenny asked. I wasn’t sure if she was covering for them or she, too, was confused.
“No, I had to cancel last minute for a showing,” Karen lied. She shot me a dirty look. I smirked back, taking another drink of my vodka soda.
“I don’t really think you need a tan. You have beautiful skin,” Keisha said.
I rolled my eyes. Karen thanked her.
Moving on.
“Jenny, any guys out here catching your eye?” I motioned to the room of people.
She looked around the bar. “Not really.”
“Oh, come on! What about that guy?” I pointed at a man standing by the bar. He was poorly dressed for a place like this—ill-fitting suit—and stood alone, awkwardly out of place. He was tall and looked thin, thanks to his clothing that was one size too big for him. Everything about him was average, just like Jenny. “He’s perfect for you.”