I spun around.
Snapping her fingers, Xandi stepped up, wearing a tight black dress that caused half the men in the space to gaze her way. On her left, Melissa chuckled with her. A silver dress covered her voluptuous frame. Meanwhile, both stumbled and swayed a little with each step.
Uh. Are they tipsy?
Xandi came to me and gave me a kiss on my cheek. A hint of alcohol covered her breath. “Girl, we had a few shots at Melissa’s house, so I’m going to apologize now.”
I widened my eyes. “That’s fine. We can order more drinks. They’re on me.”
“I like the sound of that. I’m forced to budget until I get a new job.” Melissa shook my hand. “Xandi didn’t introduce me. I’m Melissa—the reason why she’s a bit drunk.”
Xandi held up her finger and sat at the seat on my left. “I’m not drunk yet, but I will be.”
To my surprise, Melissa got on my right, putting me in the middle of them. “I’m just happy to be outside. Everyone has blacklisted me—”
“Not I.” Xandi shook her head. “You’re soror. I got your back to the end.”
“Aww.” Melissa extended her hand and grabbed Xandi’s. Both arms were in front of me. I had to lean back a little. Then, they went into some song that I assumed dealt with their sorority.
I widened my eyes.
Still on the phone, Drake peeked around the corner. I gestured for him to come over. He spoke into it and then hung up.
Drake appeared right as they let go of their hands and laughed.
O-kay. They’re both drunk for sure.
“Girl!” Xandi clapped. “I am really feeling this right now. Maybe I am a little drunk.”
“Me too!” Melissa laughed.
I smiled, not wasting my time looking around. I knew people were watching. I could feel eyes on me.
This restaurant will probably forbid me to come here again. I’m always causing some disturbance here.
Drake grinned at them. “Good evening, ladies.”
“Hey, sweetie.” Xandi clawed at the air in front of her. “You’re a sweet young thang. Have you ever been with a cougar?”
I cleared my throat. “We would like three cotton candy champagnes to start off.”
“Yummy!” Melissa snapped her fingers. “I’ve never tried that.”
“You’ll love it.” I smiled.
Xandi kissed the air and winked at the bartender. “And you’ll love me, sweet young thang.”
“Xandi, let Drake do his job.” I shook my head.
“Girl, mind your business. Drake and I are getting to know each other.”
Chuckling, he headed off to make our drinks.
Xandi’s phone rang.
“No. It’s Ladies Night. No phone calls.” She pulled it out, cursed, and got up. “Well, I have to get this. It’s Mr. Twelve Inches.”
I chuckled. “Yeah. You should get that.”
Xandi stumbled off. “I’m getting that fat twelve inches tonight.”
Melissa grinned and sipped some of her water. A little dropped on the front of her silver dress. “I’m so sorry. We probably should have stopped at the fifth shot.”
“Five shots?” I opened my mouth in shock. “I’m surprised Xandi is still walking. She’s a lightweight when it comes to liquor.”
“I see.” Melissa picked up her menu. “I was just down and wanted a little pick me up.”
I seized this opportunity to be nosy. She had a lot of information that I needed. And I wasn’t sure how Xandi would feel with me interrogating her friend. Plus, I wasn’t sure if Xandi truly didn’t know what my father had given her for investments. However, my heart told me that Xandi had no idea what was going on in the background and thought she was being a good friend by inviting me down here.
I cleared my throat. “So. . .Melissa, I saw an article where you were saying you were unfairly fired by the Mayor’s office.”
Nodding, she perused more of the menu. “I’m looking for a good lawyer now. I don’t know what I’m going to pay him with, but I do know that God will find a way.”
“He sure will. In fact, I happen to know a few foundations that will help you pay for your case.”
She paused from the menu and looked at me. “You do. What’s the name? I’ve been losing my mind trying to find someone. No lawyer in Paradise will go up against Mayor Parks.”
“Well. . .it’s the Rose Foundation, and we could get a lawyer outside of Paradise.”
She gave me a skeptical look. “The Rose Foundation.”
“Yes. And I am Rose. . .and. . .the Foundation. Basically, I am willing to fund your legal team for an inside look into what is going on with Mayor Parks.”
She placed the menu down. “Why?”
“Because I’m interested in what Mayor Parks is doing to the West. They’re kicking people out of their homes under the guise of a highway, but there’s more going on than that.”
She frowned. “Where are you getting your information?”
“Am I right?”
“You are, but. . .”
“You don’t know if you can trust me.”