"Where do you think they'll be?"I asked.
"Ryan and I had drinks at a place last night.Let's start there."
The lounge was decorated in luxurious woods and plush chairs.It felt very decadent and luxurious.And the guys were there.Andrew and Ryan sat in the center of the space at a table for two.Andrew had changed and was wearing a fresh pair of black pants with a crisp white shirt rolled up to his elbows.He looked casual in a practiced, put together way.
In contrast, Ryan wore dark jeans and a black t-shirt.Even with stubble covering his cheeks and chin, he still managed to look dressed up in a very rock-and roll-way.He spotted us first and got to his feet, letting out a low whistle."You two are a sight for sore eyes.Damn," he said and pulled Nicole close, giving her a very passionate kiss.
Andrew swiveled around and popped to his feet.He looked me up and down and after a moment, he leaned forward to give me a kiss on the lips.It felt cold and obligatory next to the passion going on beside us.
"Wow," Nicole said, breaking away from Ryan."That was nice."
"I'm just so glad you're feeling better, baby," Ryan said.He glanced at me and mouthed "Thank you" over Nicole's head."Shall we eat?I'm starving."
We all agreed and Ryan led the way out of the lounge, holding tightly to Nicole.Andrew and I trailed behind them.
"You got our room alright?"I asked.
"I did," he answered, his voice tight and controlled.
"Is something the matter?"
Andrew stopped short and grabbed my arm, causing me to spin around and face him."Is there some reason you're dressed like that?"
"Pardon me?"
"Why are you dressed like...like a..."
"Like a what, Andrew?"I jerked my arm away from him and stood up straight."I happen to think I look pretty good.We're not at some company function.We're in Vegas.So what's wrong with dressing up a little bit?"
"It's just—don't you think you took it a little far?"
"No.I look good, and I'm pretty sure there are others who would agree.Should we ask someone?"I didn't want to ask some random guy if he liked how I looked, but I'd do it just to prove to Andrew that he was being an asshole.
"No," he said."You don't have to do that.The dress just seems a little much."
"That's probably because you're drunk," I muttered under my breath.
"I've only had a few."
"Whatever, Andrew.Let's just let it go."
I really didn't want to get into it with him any more than I already had.
Andrew's face morphed, the anger gone.A sure sign he'd had too much to drink.He probably couldn't remember why he was angry in the first place.
"I'm just not used to seeing you like this," he said."But I think I could get used to it."He reached an arm around me and his hand squeezed my ass.
"Cut it out," I said and smacked his hand away.It was confirmed.He was drunk.
Andrew released me and tried to take my hand.
I pulled away and said, "Come on, let's go eat."
I led him towards the restaurant on the other side of the blackjack tables.The whoop of a winner at a table to my right caught my attention and when I glanced over, I almost stopped breathing for a second.My feet stopped moving and Andrew, his reflexes slowed, ran into me.
"What's wrong?"he asked.
I didn't answer, just shook my head.