Chapter 62
Chapter 62:
Sophie rushed to reassure Adrian. “No, not a gigolo club. It’s just a bar. Sarah said there’s a cute singer performing tonight that she wants to see p>
Adrian’s frown eased, but only slightly. “A bar, though? Isn’t it kind of late for that p>
“It’s barely eight!” Sophie glanced at the clock for proof.
She could feel his eyes on her, a bit too intense, so she edged closer to the door, her hand finding the knob. “Seriously, it’s a cozy spot. We’ll just catch some music and maybe have a drink. I’ll take it easy, promise p>
Before she could finish, she had already opened the door and slipped out, leaving Adrian standing in the dining area. He pressed his fingers to his temples and let out a sigh.
Was he doing something wrong? Lately, it felt like everything else—her job, her friends, her boss—took priority. He had helped her out more than once. And why did he never get treated?
The bar glowed softly when Sophie arrived. Sarah was already there, waving excitedly from a corner booth as a jazz band played a slow, easy tune in the background.
“You’re twenty minutes late!” Sarah scolded, sliding a Mojito across the table. “One sip for every minute. Go on, catch up p>
Sophie started to protest that she had gotten stuck in really bad traffic when Sarah slammed down two more brightly colored cocktails.
“Tonight, we’re drinking until neither of us can remember our names!” Sarah’s voice was unusually high-pitched, her energy just a little too manic.
𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗴𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗻
Sophie eyed her friend, realizing something was off. “Sarah, what’s with you tonight p>
Sarah’s eyes suddenly brimmed with tears. “My heart got stomped on, that’s what!” Her voice carried across the bar, drawing glances from neighboring tables, but she didn’t care. She tossed back half a glass in one gulp, shoulders shaking.
Seeing her friend’s distress, Sophie forgot all about her promise to Adrian. She raised her glass high and tapped it against Sarah’s. “Whatever happens, I’m in. No one leaves sober p>
Sophie downed three drinks in rapid succession. Each time she tried to set her glass aside, Sarah—still wiping her tears—poured her another. So Sophie gave in and kept drinking, letting her worries blur around the edges.
No one could say how many rounds they’d had when Sophie finally blinked in confusion and said, “Wait a minute… When did you even start seeing someone? You never said a word p>
Sarah, now visibly tipsy, jabbed a finger toward the stage. The lead singer, ponytail swinging, was fiddling with the mic. “Last week. He bought jewelry from me and gave me three smiles… three p>
Her voice broke, trembling. “But just now, I saw him backstage—kissing that woman on drums p>
Sophie froze, her glass halfway to her mouth. “You mean… all this drama is over the ponytail guy p>
“My love life crashed and burned before it even got off the ground!” Sarah yelled, face buried in her arms as her glass rattled on the tabletop.
Sophie just sighed and pressed her fingers to her temples. The alcohol was finally catching up—everything in the bar, even Sarah, was starting to blur and double.
“Enough. We’re calling it a night,” Sophie mumbled, realizing she was far too gone to argue with her own limits.
She tried to get to her feet, but the world spun and her legs gave out, forcing her back into the booth. With her last ounce of focus, Sophie managed to share her location with Adrian, tapping out a quick message from the bar. As soon as she sent it, her arm dropped limply, and she slumped over the table, consciousness fading.
“Sophie! Let’s go dance!” Sarah suddenly shook her awake, surprisingly forceful for someone who could barely keep her head up a minute ago.
Sophie’s head swam, and she clung to Sarah’s wrist for balance. “No way… We need to get home, not on the dance floor p>
With what little coordination she had left, Sophie tried to steer Sarah toward the exit, half dragging, half stumbling along. A security guard, clearly used to this nightly spectacle, offered a gentle smile. “You ladies need a cab tonight p>
From somewhere ahead, a familiar voice called out. “Sophie p>
Addie was waiting at the curb, checking her phone as she waited for her boyfriend, only to spot her tipsy coworker weaving through the crowd. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and gave them a raised eyebrow. “Want a lift? My boyfriend’s just about to pick me up p>
Sophie squinted, unable to make out Addie’s face through the haze. She shook her head, ready to refuse, but Sarah chimed in. “That’d be awesome! Thank you p>
Just then, a red convertible slid to a stop at the curb. Addie clicked over in her heels and leaned into the passenger window with a playful smile. “Hey babe, can you drop my friends off on your way p>
As Sophie blinked against the streetlights, she caught a glimpse of the driver: a sharp suit, hands on the wheel, and a jet-black mask—identical to the one Adrian wore.
She staggered forward, voice weak but hopeful. “A-Adrian p>