Arcadia Happy Hour Novels & Stories

Adrian and Clara argue over who gets the last bite of vegetables, and I shake my head, smiling. When the bill comes, Adrian takes it without a word. I try to reach for it, but he shakes his head. “Don’t even think about it.” “Thank you,” I say quietly. He looks at me for a moment too long. “You’re welcome.” Outside, the night air is cool, brushing against my skin like a quiet whisper. The city lights reflect in puddles on the street. Clara loops her arm through mine. “You should come have dinner with us sometime,” she says cheerfully. “We do this little Sunday thing ,wine, pasta, and endless gossip about Adrian’s boring taste in music.”

Nadine stepped back, peeling off her gloves, but she didn't look away. 'You handled that like a champ, Larissa. Most girls squirm and whine.' I laughed breathlessly, sitting up a little. 'Years of practice. Feels... intense, though.' My voice came out huskier than I intended, and her smirk deepened. She leaned against the counter, crossing her arms under her chest, pushing up those full breasts straining against her top. 'You know, we offer something extra here for regulars, or newbies who look like they could use it. Call it Happy Hour. Off the menu, but it loosens things up after all that pulling.' Her eyes dropped to my lap, bold and unapologetic.

Inside the El Paradiso club, that is the rule. Addison accelerated to her top speed in order to get to the club as soon as possible. There must have been many people inside because it was after ten in the evening. Consuming the purported heaven. She was correct, too, as both masked and unmasked people were already dancing on the dance floor when she arrived. She made a vodka purchase at the bar counter. Before consuming the wine in the glass and biting into the lemon juice, she exhaled loudly. A foul and bitter taste began to linger in her throat.

"Perfect. We'll take that too." "To stay or to go?" I looked at Hazel, who shrugged. "To go." He nodded, scribbling our order. "Twenty minutes." Hazel checked her watch. "Plenty of time for a quick drink at the bar while we wait?" The bar area had exactly two empty stools. We claimed them, and Hazel immediately ordered a bottle of prosecco. "We're celebrating," she told the bartender. "We are?" I asked once he'd moved away. "Yes. We're celebrating Madison Harper remembering how to have fun." She clinked her glass against mine when the bartender returned with our drinks. "To beach days and not working on Sundays."

I smile. “Good! I’ll need time to publicize the new Queer Acoustic Happy Hour event…I’ll double your pay and have the contract ready by next Sunday. I plan on it being from 5 to 8 pm every Thursday. Shoot me a text, maybe I’ll come to this Avant Garde thing!” He smiles as he goes off to talk to the bartender. A stern looking woman in, I’m guessing, her 40’s approaches us. “Nova, you never told us that you were such a fantastic singer! I am really looking forward to Thursday evening and to receiving your application when you tour or school next week.”

She was renovating their old home, preparing for the twins, and despite the lingering pain, Marco knew he had to let her have this new chapter. Sitting in his car, he pulled out his phone and typed a message to Sade. >Would you and Adamo be willing to meet for brunch at this new spot called Charlie’s on the north side? It’s a nice urban-style restaurant. Thought it’d be good to talk.< It took a moment before she responded. >What time?< >Saturday, 11:30 a.m. It’s after breakfast, and they’ve got all-you-can-eat specialty dishes. Chicken and waffles, shrimp deviled eggs, Patron mimosas.<

All hailed her again and Adriana gestured to hold their hailing and continued, “On our way home, we are riding into the newly renovated theme park. The happiest news is all our eatery and enjoyments are sponsored by our Ishvakar Academy. I am expecting your presence, so, hold your outings and dating and be present sharp at 7 pm and we will leave by 7.30 pm after our attendance. And we will be accompanied by one of our lecturers.” Mrtyu stood up with a raised hand, “Can we return by tomorrow night?” “What’s the hurry, Miss Ugly duckling; do you have any date tomorrow night?” Sycamore, a girl with red-dyed hair turned back and mocked Mrtyu. Her friends who equally dyed their hair in green and

She slid two plates onto the table. "I trust you." Tory whispered back. "Good, because I want you to have fun." "Um..." The waitress spoke. "It's happy hour. Your beer is on the international menu so it doesn't normally count for one dollar but I can hook you up." She winked at him. He was smiling as he turned his gaze to the waitress. "Thank you. One dollar beer and free tapas? Great deal, isn't it, bela?" "It is." She snuggled against him and smirked at the waitress. "We'll definitely have to come back.

and turned to Aria. “They’re having hot pot at the Haven Club tonight. Asked if we want to join.” “We’re not busy anyway, and since he asked, let’s go,” Aria said easily. She knew he was asking for her opinion, but the fact that he brought it up meant he probably wanted to go. She didn’t want him losing touch with his friends either. Healthy friendships were important, and Don and the others weren’t bad influences. They were actually good people. Only then did Archer reply into the phone, “We’ll come.”

The black SUV glided to a smooth stop outside La Belle Époque, one of Crown City’s most elegant restaurants. Golden hour light bathed the stone façade, and soft piano music drifted faintly from inside. Roderick killed the engine and stepped out, adjusting his sleeves before opening the back door. Adrian and Aria tumbled out, still buzzing with leftover energy from their afternoon at the park. Adrian’s shirt had a grass stain on the sleeve, and Aria’s hair was slightly windswept. Both kids looked happy but tired.