I raise my hands, exasperated. “See, evenyou think it.”
“Kate, I think that because this drink isterrible. It has absinth in it. What is it?”
“It’s called Hemmingway Champagne. It’sthe only drink I know that will…well…”
“Get you drunk in the fastest possibleway?” He’s not wrong. I just don’t want to think about stuff anymore.
“I was thinking forget about my cares,but what you said works.”
“That drink Hemmingway Champagne, is alsoknown as Death in the Afternoon.”
“Oh, well I can see why.”
Cole motions for Derek. “Will you getKate a Caribou Lou?”
Derek smiles. “Didn’t like that drink?”
“Nope.” I didn’t like it, but I’d stilltry to drink the rest of it.
“You’ll like this one much better, and itwill still get you just as drunk.” Cole pulls me closer, wrapping his armaround me.
“Since when are you okay with me beingdrunk? Usually it’s ‘you’ve had enough’, Kate.”
Cole shrugs.
“What, Coulter Holt is speechless? Idon’t believe it.”
“I have plenty to say, but tonight isn’tthe night for it. Trust me when I tell you that all those people sitting overthere care about and love you.”
“Maybe I’m being childish. I’m just tiredof everybody watching and waiting for me to do something spastic they can laughabout. It may be eccentric and strange, but I don’t always think it’s funny andlaughable.” Oh man, that office tryst totally sobered me up. I’m grumpy andirritated. What happened to my good night? I glance down at the dumb ass sashI’m still wearing and take it off, putting it on the bar. A white papercocktail napkin flashes in front of my face.
“I come in peace.” Laura leans againstthe bar on the other side of me. “Can we talk?”
“I’ll let you two have a minute.” Colesqueezes my arm. I look at him. I don’t want him to go and I try to convey thatwith my facial expression. “I’ll hang out at the end of the bar, if you needme.” I nod once and watch him walk over to the far end of the bar.
“I’m sorry.” Laura tears the cocktailnapkin into strips.
“You have nothing to be sorry about. Idid freak out.” I pick up the fresh drink Derek has left, smelling the pungentfruity flavors, and take a sip.
“No, I do. I wanted to get a reaction outof you. That’s why I didn’t tell you, and why we went late to the strip club.Everyone at that booth loves you, Kate. They were asking what we did and sayinghow much fun you are and how lucky Cole is to have you. I got jealous. You haveit so good.”
Yeah, it’s been so great since I gotmarried; let me count the problems. I glance over at Cole, who’s watching us.He smiles, saluting me with his drink. I suddenly can’t think of any of the badthings that have happened over the last month, only that Cole and I aretogether, married, and that he loves me. “It’s been hard, you know, to spend mywhole life waiting for Mr. Right, always wanting something I never thought Iwould get. Meeting Cole was like jumping on a speeding train and holding on fordear life. I don’t know how else to describe it. It’s exhilarating, excitingand scary as hell. But I would do it all over again. It’s just what Kit saidstruck a nerve. I know I’m like this, irrational, unique, whatever, but whenother people point it out and then laugh, it can really hurt. I may havefreaked out that some good looking muscled guy ripped his clothes off and gyratedhis pelvis in my face; but the lady next to me fainted, so at least I have oneup on her.” I take a side glance at Laura and bump her shoulder. She hassufficiently shredded the napkin into little bits. “I’m sorry.”
“Me too.”
“Besides, you should have waited for meto tell that story. It would have made it ten times better.” Laura jerks meinto a hug and I hear a sniffle. “Oh hell, please don’t cry. I’m really sorry.”
“It’s not that. It’s just, everything ischanging. I wasn’t prepared for it.”
“Things will work out for you, Laura.There’s always Race.”
“I don’t think he’s interested in meanymore.”
“What? Why? I’m going to give him a pieceof my mind.” I’m feeling somewhat empowered at the moment, bring on one of thedamned Vega men. I try to push off the bar, but Laura holds me to her.
“It’s okay. Really, the feeling ismutual. He’s met someone, and he wants to see where it goes. I need to focus onme. He’s nice, but there hasn’t been much chemistry between us.” She lets go,sobbing harder.
“Here.” I push my discarded drink infront of her. “This will help.” With a swift gulp, the liquor is gone. I watchLaura’s face turn red and she gives a little cough. “Holy shit, I didn’t thinkyou’d drink the whole thing. You’ll forget your troubles for sure now.” I pather on the back.
