Sheryl
"Whisky! Whisky! Whisky! Whisky!" I heard the other girls from our table start to chant, and it pulled my thoughts away from Dr Davies.
I really wished Lizzy hadn't set up this little pre-wedding gathering, but she had no idea I had no desire to get married. We were distant cousins, not super close, having really only spent some holidays together over the years.
Between that and a few random emails, she didn't know what was really happening. I had no idea she had anything planned, but when she told me we were going out, after the day I'd had, I just went with it.
Now I was wearing this stupid sash and crown, and I didn't know how my night could get worse. At least I convinced them to come to "The Daily Dose" tonight instead of somewhere else. I just needed a casual club with lots of caffeine, and this was the perfect place.
We took the next round of whisky that the guy next to Lizzy bought us, and I had to promise to chat with him later when the music started up. We all talked and drank for a while until the club finally filled with music, and all of us girls jumped up. We headed for the small makeshift dance area as the house band started to play. I was feeling good from the whisky, and I swayed my hips, closing my eyes and enjoying the music.
"Holy cow. Dr Davies is here." At Lizzy's words, my eyes popped open. "God, he's so incredibly attractive." She knew Dr Davies? Of course, she did. She grew up here, and everyone knew everybody, it seemed. It took everything in me not to turn and look at him, so I held my drink and focused on the stage.
I looked down at myself, and it made me curse. Darn it. The sash. Lizzy stared unabashedly, not an ounce of shame. "Oh my God, he's coming this way. Geez, Sheryl, he looks furious."
Dr Davies
I walked into "The Daily Dose" and headed to the counter. It was surprisingly busy considering this place was usually half-empty. After the day I'd had, I needed a strong drink. I moved over to my usual spot, and Sam, one of the baristas, came over with my usual whisky. To say I was a creature of habit was an understatement. I liked my order, and I liked things to be simple.
But little Duchess came into the department today and shook my whole world upside down. I needed to have a drink and try to forget about her, something I hadn't been able to do since she strolled into my life.
Dan and Joey stood behind me, and Sam slid their usual orders to them. I grabbed mine and nodded my thanks, but he stood in front of me, not going anywhere.
When I raised an eyebrow in question, he leaned over the counter like he had a secret for me. What the heck? Are we in elementary school?
"There's a pre-wedding gathering happening here tonight if you guys are looking for some conversation."
I could feel Joey's eye roll beside me, while Dan leaned in a little closer. I, on the other hand, had no interest in getting involved tonight. I'd had enough trouble with my thoughts today to last me a while.
An image of my little Duchess flashed in my mind, and my body reacted. What I wouldn't give to have spent more time with her.
I bet she would have been captivating. I shook my head and took a drink of my whisky, hoping to wash the thoughts away.
"Point me in the right direction, Sam. You know I'm always looking for some new faces in this town." Dan sat up and peered over the crowd as Sam pointed towards the dance floor.
Curiosity got the better of me, and my eyes followed Sam's pointing finger. Suddenly, Dan laughed and looked back at me. "Looks like that impressive woman from the other day is the bride-to-be."
I gripped my whisky cup so tightly, I was surprised it didn't shatter. Everything in my vision went red, and suddenly, my whisky was being taken out of my hand. I looked over and saw Joey had taken it from me, and she was giving me a look.
"I'll hold it for you, boss," she said, and nodded over to the dance floor.
I didn't say a word as I got up and started to make my way over to a group of girls. There were probably about a dozen of them, all in various stages of elevated spirits. I saw Lizzy Eastman standing just in front of what looked like the back of my Duchess' head. She was turned away from me, and Lizzy was standing in front of her, almost like she was blocking her.
"Hey, Dr Davies! It's so good to see your face, I mean, you." Lizzy snorted as she slurred her words, and I was a little concerned about how she was going to get home. We weren't best friends, but I knew her name and had seen her grow up around here.
This was a small town, so even if we'd never been formally introduced, we knew who the other one was.
"I've got this one, boss," Dan said, tapping my shoulder and stepping up beside me. "What's up, Lizzy. Show me some of those dance moves." Dan took her hand, and Lizzy followed him around to the other side.
Dan might talk a lot of nonsense, but deep down he was a good guy, and I knew he'd make sure she was safe.
I was still standing in the same spot, and little Duchess hadn't moved an inch.
She was tense and facing away from me. It was as if she thought if she didn't turn around, then I wasn't really there.
"When's the wedding?"
I saw her shoulders deflate a little, and she turned to face me. She looked me up and down and licked her lips, and it took everything in me not to kiss her right here, right now.
Those full lips looked like they were just inviting a kiss, and I wanted to help her out with that desire.
"Are you going to answer me, Duchess?" I tried to keep the anger out of my voice, but I didn't think it was working.
She looked around and then bit her lip, once again making me want to... reengage with her. She finally brought her eyes back up to mine. "Next week." The words were barely whispered, but I heardit over the music.