Chapter 13

Cleo and Prue arrived at mine around 7pm. I was just finishing putting my boots on when they knocked at the door. Cleo opened the door and let them in. I walked into the front room just as there was a car beeping outside.

“That’ll be the taxi.” Prue said.

I grabbed my phone and placed it in my purse. With that, we were off and out of the door. The taxi dropped us off at Flares bar. I rolled my eyes as I didn’t want a big night out, but Flares meant a big night out. Especially now Cleo had Prue encouraging her as well. I headed to the bar and ordered the first round of drinks.

“I’m glad it’s Friday,” I laughed as I handed the drinks to the girls.

“Oh, come on, we won’t get too drunk.” Cleo laughed.

“Either way, drunk or not, this is a celebration. To Erin, who had landed the biggest job Written Ink has ever seen.” Prue raised her glass.

“To Erin.” Cleo echoed.

I blushed; I hated praise. But on this occasion, I knew I deserved it. I had spent months working with Dan on possibilities for the print run, and I was proud I had managed to land the job. I was surprised they wanted to increase though. That scared me. The job I proposed to him was already a massive job on its own without the increased printing now. I was just glad I had the girls as part of my team and that we could divide and conquer.

“So, Prue, come on. You have stayed silent long enough. Tell us about your meeting with Mr. Ice.” Cleo pursued.

I laughed; the nickname seemed to have gone round so quickly. And yet, somehow, it suited what I had seen so perfectly.

“Not a lot really, he was very blunt about how I was the newest in the office, so I had to prove myself. I guess as I haven’t been there long, he couldn’t really get any info on me from anyone.” Prue shrugged it off.

The conundrum for me was the contrast to how he was in the club. But the more I thought about it, the more I remembered how stern and icy he was. Not to mention the fact that he walked away like it was nothing. I started to think that my perception of him on saving me that evening had been wrong all along.

The drinks kept coming and before long we were on the dance floor dancing the night away. Round after round of drinks were coming from one of us or another. I lost track when my head started going fuzzy. I headed outside to get some fresh air, a little after midnight. I wobbled as the air hit me and my head felt fuzzier than before. I found myself taking a seat on one of the benches outside the pub and watching the stars in the night sky.

Cleo and Prue came out to find me after a short while, and we decided to call it a night. I found myself drifting to sleep in the taxi on the way home. Cleo and Prue were staying at mine to make it easier. They woke me as the taxi pulled onto my street. My mind kept drifting back to Damian. I was annoyed at myself for thinking about him. I couldn’t help but wonder why he was watching me so intensely.

It didn’t take long for me to fall asleep, and Damian haunted my dreams that night. I awoke with the rise of the sun. I never slept in after a night of drinking; I decided to organise some food to soak up some of the alcohol for the girls. They both awoke from the smell of the greasy fry-up. They followed their noses to the kitchen as I was plating up the food.

“How are you always so peachy after a night out drinking?” Prue rubbed her temples.

“Urgh, it’s sickening, isn’t it.” Cleo grunted.

I laughed out loud, “Because I know how to pace myself and hydrate through the night once I am home.”

We spent the day in our pj’s watching TV and movies. Having a girl's day after a night out drinking was exactly what was needed for me. It also helped distract me from the coming week.