She grabbed her purse sighing and walked out into her living room.
"Maybe a little more makeup to hide those tired eyes." She heard Kristy say, making her glare at the petite woman now cuddled up in the living room couch, her attention now on Kaitlyn rather than her phone. "Where are you going with that inviting frown of yours." Kristy teased further, as usual not offering Kaitlyn any compliments.
"Drinks." said simply, walking over to her coat rack and grabbing her black coat. She might as well be going to a funeral with her black-on-black ensemble.
"I was thinking more, a slutty funeral." Kristy joked further, her voice sounding even more annoying to Kaitlyn like that were even possible.
"Goodnight Kristy." Kaitlyn said dryly as she put on her coat and helped herself out the door.
Kaitlyn tried brightening her mood on the drive to the bar with some music, but it did not help. So she had decided to take comfort in alcohol, hoping some good tequila would make her forget all about her boss.
As she walked into the bar, she looked around trying to spot Gregory who had already texted her 'he was there.'
There at a booth at her far right she saw Gregory sitting next to a brunette-haired man, talking to him animatedly while their drinks were already in front of them, half downed. She walked over, her smile genuine this time as she saw her best friend.
"Hey." She greeted, announcing herself as she neared them. Gregory stood up, hugging her, he eyed her outfit but decided against commenting.
The man next to him stood too, smiling beside Gregory.
Gregory's hand went behind his friend, smiling as he did. "This is Louie." Gregory introduced.
Kaitlyn smiled warmly and pushed Gregory aside gently, giving Louie a side hug. "It's so nice to meet you." She said with a wide smile.
"Likewise. Heard so much about you." Louie said matching Kaitlyn's wide smile. Kaitlyn pulled away giving them space and finding a seat opposite to them. They all sat down and she shot Gregory a look that read, 'he's hot.'
"Where is Einar?" Gregory asked, reminding her that she had invited him.
Kaitlyn looked at her phone, checking her last messages from him, he had texted he was on his way. "Oh, he's on his way. I should order something." She said already calling for the waiter.
"You're still worked up about the whole job thing." Gregory asked leaning closer to her, his elbows resting on the table.
Kaitlyn shrugged, not wanting to ruin the night with her and worry about work.
"It's fine. You're the best assistant he's ever had." Gregory assured her, making her smile.
A waitress came over, looking over to Louie and Gregory and completely ignoring her. She cleared her throat loudly, making both Louie and Gregory stiffen a laugh. "A bottle of tequila." She said with a tight-lipped smile, the judgmental waitress looked appalled."
"We can't get you a whole bottle." The waitress protested.
"Okay. Two shots of tequila. Oh and a vodka on rocks." She ordered.
"Another round over here." Gregory said gesturing at his and Louie's half-full cups, then taking a long sip.
The waitress scurried along to get their order, and then just when Kaitlyn started a conversation with Louie, Einar arrived.
He apologized for his tardiness, while Kaitlyn introduced him to everyone then he took a seat right beside her. Their drinks came quickly after.
"Thought I'd order for you." She said referring to his vodka.
"Yeah thanks." Einar said with a warm smile. After a couple of drinks and some fries, the newly acquainted group of friends were still chatting.
Their conversation was less awkward now and flowing perfectly, fueled by alcohol and a loud surrounding. Gregory had told stories detailing Kaitlyn and his experiences in college and even his weird experience meeting her typical African mother.
Kaitlyn did her due diligence by getting to know Louie, asking him where they had met where he lived, and just how long they had been going out. She was happy with all his answers so far and could tell they were more than emitting with each other, their hands always found a way to tangle with each other, Louie's eyes were glued on Gregory as he spoke, staring at his lips and scooting closer.
Kaitlyn was very happy to see her friend happy, she caught herself staring at their interaction a lot throughout the night, only snapping out of her daze when Einar called her name.
Einar on the other hand was a complete gentleman, a perfect plus one, making appropriate jokes and ordering fries when he noticed Kaitlyn was on her 5th glass and looking famished.
"I need to visit the ladies. She said before standing up, almost stumbling but catching herself just in time. Her steps wobbled as she made her way to the bathroom, the floor played tricks with her, making her miss her steps and tumble over, A hand stopped her just in time, pulling her to stand straight, she opened her eyes to see a concerned Einar, his eyebrows creasing as he watched her closely.
"Maybe some glasses, too many?" Einar asked as he steadied her, only letting go of her when he was completely satisfied that she would not tumble to the floor again.
"Yeah." Kaitlyn laughed, more to herself. She shook her head as if trying to shake her vision back to normal.
"Let me walk you." Einar proposed, looking towards the direction and back to her. Uncertainty in his eyes as he debated his options.
"I can walk to the bathroom myself." Kaitlyn Interjected, although her voice came out more as whining than convincing.
"I doubt that." Kaitlyn laughed, then mustered up the most serious face that she could, she put both her hands out, distancing herself from him then turning to the direction of the bathroom, she managed to take perfect steps. She smiled to herself, turned around to face him with a smile that said 'I told you so.'
Kaitlyn felt a bit better when she returned to the table, her walking less wobbly and almost straight. She took her seat beside Einar. A tall glass of water in front of her. She looked over to Einar who gave her a stern look, looking at the water and then back at her.
"We have to call it a night." Gregory announced, pulling both Kaitlyn and Einar from their glaring contest. They all stood up bidding Gregory and Louie goodnight.
"We should call it a night as well." Einar said, Kaitlyn pouted.
"Just a few more drinks." Kaitlyn pleaded, pouting to the more sober man. Einar shook his head, looking away.
"We should get you an Uber." He said, leading her out of the bar already, she was easy to convince when this intoxicated. The cold Seattle air hit her, making her realize she was outside, and without her coat.
"Oh shit. I'll get your coat, stay right here." Einar said before dashing back inside. Kaitlyn wrapped her hands around herself, standing in place while her eyes wandered around.
"Kaitlyn." She heard a familiar voice say her name, she scolded herself mentally. Why was she thinking about him? Hearing his voice now too?
"Kaitlyn." She heard again, this time she felt a jacket drape around her shoulders, she turned around to see Lennox. His face was almost as straight and emotionless as usual, only a hint of emotions was in his eyes that a drunk Kaitlyn could not read.