"I'm sure," he mocked, softly signaling Joe for another round.
"You can bank—" my retort was cut short when my cellphone chirped in my purse.
"I need to use the ladies' room," I breathed, rising unsteadily to my feet as the floor tilted slightly beneath me. "I'll be right back."
"Do you need some help?" he asked, cocking his eyebrow at me.
"Um, I'm pretty sure I know how to pee on my own," I answered, feeling flustered.
He chuckled. "I meant getting to the bathroom. You looked like you were a bit unsteady there."
"I'm good," I clarified before strutting away. It took all my willpower to keep my gait steady as I made my way across the scuffed wooden floors to the bathroom. Tressa and Brittni were leaning against the bathroom counter waiting for me when I entered. It was all part of the plan we had set up. They were here for the status update.
"So, is he a serial killer?" Brittni asked as I headed for one of the stalls.
"Hold on, I really do have to pee."
"He looks like he's into you," she added, switching on the faucet so I could pee in peace.
"Of course he's into her. She's smoking hot," Tressa interrupted. "I bet he's already suffering from a case of blue balls," she added laughing as I heard the smacking of flesh.
"Do you always have to be so crude?" Brittni asked disgusted as I flushed the toilet and opened the stall door.
"He's not the only one," I muttered, filling the palm of my hand with soap before sticking them under the faucet that was still running.
"Ooh, things a little damp downstairs?"
"Oh my god, Tressa, seriously?" Brittni said, taking another swipe at her.
"That's one way to say it. Put it this way, he'd slide in pretty damn easy right now if you know what I mean," I giggled, bracing my hands on the counter as the floor beneath me continued to sway.
"You okay, slick?" Brittni asked, really looking at me for the first time since I'd entered the bathroom.
"Fine," I answered, moving my eyes from the slow rolling floor.
"She's buzzing," Tressa crowed, taking in my glassy eyes and flushed cheeks.
"I sure am," I cracked up, not entirely sure why I found it so funny.
"Are you sure you're up for this, you lightweight?" Brittni asked, placing her hands on my shoulders so she could study me critically.
"I'm fine, Mom," I teased. "I just decided to take the liquid courage route."
"So, you're going through with it?" she asked, looking worried.
"Duh, that was the plan," Tressa chastised.
"I know, but I thought she'd chicken out," Brittni retorted like I wasn't even there.
"Hey, standing right in front of you," I said, waving my hands exuberantly in front of them like I was trying to land a plane or something to that effect. "Besides, I have to do it, it's on my list," I pointed out.
"Right, it's on your list. I still think it's ridiculous for someone our age to have a bucket list."
"I told you a million times. It's for a study I'm doing for the master's program I'm hoping to get into," I lied, smiling brightly at her. "It's a study on living life to its fullest in a limited time frame."
"So you've said a hundred times. I just think a study on males that have the best pecks or dreamiest eyes would have been more productive."