In the end, she’d decided on a white button-up shirt and black slacks. That was about as casual as she got. Maybe it was time for some color in her life. But she had no idea where to start. She stepped into the bar, then paused, trying to adjust to the dim lighting. It was surprisingly busy for a mid-week night. All the tables were full and waitresses rushed around, filling orders.
Was Kiesha even here? Had this been a trick? Had she asked her here in order to humiliate her? Was this her revenge on Georgina?
She took a step back, about to turn on her heels and leave when she heard a loud yell.
“Georgie!”
Glancing around, she spotted her. In hindsight, she didn’t know how she’d missed her. Kiesha wouldn’t know how to be drab and boring if she tried. She was wearing a bright yellow wrap top and tight black pants. A pair of dark-blue boots went up to her knees and her hair had a yellow scarf wrapped around it.
Lots of silver jewelry adorned her neck and wrists. She looked amazing. Georgina felt even more out of place than she had before. Especially now that everyone had turned to stare at them. What were they thinking? Saying? She hated being the center of attention.
It reminded her of her mother’s awful parties. But no one here knew anything about her. And that’s how she liked it. They were all looking at Kiesha. And who wouldn’t? She was gorgeous.
She hoped none of them were whispering about the other woman. With a frown, she glanced around. But everywhere she looked people were either smiling indulgently at the other woman or giving her admiring looks. Men and women.
That made Georgina feel better.
“What’s the matter? Something wrong? You’re not backing out, are you? We changed our team name for you and everything.”
“You did? What was your name?”
“Well, it was Victorious Secret.”
And it couldn’t be that anymore?
“Now it’s the Beersal Suspects. Get it? It’s a play on the word beer since we’re in a bar and some movie called Usual Suspects, which is apparently a murder thriller. We figured that was more fitting for an FBI agent.”
“You really didn’t have to do that.”
“Nonsense.” Kiesha took her hand and dragged her across the room. She’d expected to have to push through the crush, but people quickly got out of their way. A number of them called out greetings to Kiesha and she waved back at them, yelling out hellos, and even asking someone how their pet chicken was.
What had she gotten herself into?
“Lady Cluckers has been really sick,” Kiesha explained as she stopped at a small table. “Poor Rufus has been so worried about her. He thinks she’s got a cold or something.”
“Do chickens get colds?” Georgina asked.
Kiesha looked thoughtful. “You know, I have no idea. Here we are. Take a seat. I’ll introduce you to the girls. We’re just waiting on Juliet.”
“Okay.” She sat, feeling like she’d landed on some alien planet. Two women were standing by the table, chatting. Shoot. Why hadn’t she thought about this? Not only did she have to talk with Kiesha, which wasn’t too hard since she did the majority of the talking, but she was going to have to socialize with other people?
Nightmare.
Why was it she could handle other people in a professional capacity, but as soon as she entered a social setting she froze up and became quiet?
Perhaps it’s all the times that Mother told you to keep quiet during her dinner parties.
Yep, that could likely be it.
“Girls, meet Georgie. Georgie, this is Cleo.” A tall, beautiful, dark-skinned woman with the most amazing curly black hair nodded at her.
“Hello, Georgie.” Cleo wore a plain white t-shirt and skintight jeans. She looked effortlessly sexy. But there was a small frown on her face as she stared at Georgina.
Shoot. Was she angry because she was here? Georgina straightened up, trying to hide her nerves. Why did this feel like she was starting middle school all over again? All the bullies circling around her because she was smaller than everyone else.
“Hi. Sorry to crash your team.”
Cleo waved her hand elegantly. “Kiesha is always bringing strays.”