“But it’s your birthday,” I argue. “I should buy you one, not the other way around.”
Sally gives me a stern look. “Listen here, girlie. I opened my own business too. I remember what it was like in the early days. You can buy me a drink next year when your bookshop is making more money than you can handle. For now, you let your friends help you when they want to. Got it?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say with a quivery lip. I forget sometimes that Sally struck out on her own too. She orders each of us a shot of tequila and a margarita. She licks salt off her hand, tosses her shot back, slamming her glass down on the bar before sucking on a lime wedge.
I’ve never done a shot of tequila before, but I’ve seen it done and Sally makes it look like it’s no big deal. I can do this, right? Totally. How bad could it be? I think as I flinch and throw the shot back. Really flipping bad! It burns like acid death in my throat, making me choke and gasp for breath.
“Oh, gosh damn!” I sputter. “That is horrible!” I say, trying not to gag.
“Oh, pumpkin! Haven’t you had tequila before?” Sally asks, rubbing my back.
“In margaritas,” I wheeze. “It’s not very good straight, though.”
Sally chuckles. “Oh, I don’t know. I feel pretty good!”
“That’s because you’re immune,” Lilah says from behind Sally, making her laugh.
“I’m dancing!” Sally yells, pulling on my hand.
“I’ll be right there,” I tell her. Once I get the battery acid out of my mouth, I add silently.
Lilah eyes my margarita as she sips a seltzer. “You can have it,” I tell her slyly.
“No,” she sighs. “I really can’t. But thank you!”
Oh, yeah. She’s definitely preggers. I wonder how long she’s going to keep it a secret. With her sisters and Gran around, I doubt it will last long.
Lilah slides the margarita closer to me. “Enjoy it! Just don’t try to go drink-for-drink with Sally. She’ll wreck you. Ask me how I know.”
Ben steps up behind her and I pretend I don’t see the huge hand he slides over her stomach or the way she blushes when he whispers in her ear. I’ve heard enough stories to know they are absolutely filthy together. #Relationshipgoals, right?
I let Lilah convince me to join her and Sally on the dance floor. For better or worse, the tequila did its job.