An Honest Lie(37)
It wasn’t the first time someone had mentioned the slight bend in her nose, but it was the first time they’d done it so rudely.
“I mean, you’re beautiful either way, but if you ever want to fix it...” One last check in the mirror and Tara moved toward the door in a noiseless pink breeze. There was a rush of sound from the restaurant beyond and then Rainy and her nose were alone. She turned back to the mirror. The bathroom was a goth grotto with slick black walls and eerie lighting. She studied the nose that wasn’t quite straight and blinked at herself. They’d taken an Uber to the restaurant and Rainy had offered to sit in the front seat with the driver while the rest of them climbed into the rear. By the time they’d arrived, she was behind on the conversation and they didn’t try to include her as they made their way inside. The girls ordered drinks right away while Rainy stuck to water. She could blame Tara’s rudeness on her drinking, but she’d felt that strange hostility since she boarded the plane. She was so deep in thought she jumped when the door opened and two women walked in. With one last, quick glance at her nose, she headed back to the table.
Worst idea ever, she thought now. This trip, this gaudy, neon-crusted city—these women!
When Rainy sat down at the table, she was just in time to see Braithe slip her American Express into the billfold and hand it back to the server. Ursa, Tara and Mac were bent over their phones. Had they all chipped in? Why couldn’t they have waited the two extra minutes for her to get back? She was annoyed at not being included in whatever decision they’d made.
“You weren’t here so I just took care of it,” Braithe said, waving her off.
“Well, I’d like to pay my share.” Everyone looked up at the same time and Rainy realized too late that her words had come out more aggressively than she’d intended. Her nose throbbed.
“It’s not a big deal, I got it,” Braithe said, emphasizing the last three words.
“But would it have hurt to have waited the two extra minutes for me to get back?” She knew she was overreacting, but in the moment, she didn’t care.
“Honestly, Rainy, if I knew it was going to be such a big deal I would have gladly waited.”
Guilt and shame rang like a bell in her chest. Rainy ducked her head, her eyes briefly visiting her lap. When she lifted her gaze and met Braithe’s eyes, her friend looked on the verge of tears.
God, Rainy, maybe she was just trying to do something nice.
“I’m sorry,” she said, and Braithe’s expression relaxed a little. Tara, Ursa and Mac looked tense, waiting to see what Braithe would say next.
Braithe clapped her hands and everyone jumped. The moment was so comical they all started laughing.
“Let’s go to Bubbles to get drinks.” It was like little light bulbs lit all their faces.
Rainy turned to Braithe. “What’s that?”
“A bar,” she said, scooting out of her seat and standing up. “And don’t worry, you’re buying me my first drink.”
Rainy would have preferred a shower and a movie in bed. Braithe must have sensed her hesitation, because she grabbed Rainy by the arm and whispered, “Please come,” in her ear as the others walked ahead of them, their jewel-toned heels snapping like fingers on the marble floor.
“Okay, but just one drink and I’m going to head back.”
“Fiiinnne,” Braithe said. They walked like schoolgirls, their arms linked as they lagged behind the others. When they got to the bar, Braithe slid into the seat next to her and ordered an old-fashioned. “What are you having?” She turned to Rainy, her chandelier earrings dancing above her shoulders.
“I’ll have the same,” she said to the bartender.
She hated the drink, but for some reason all of Grant’s friends drank them with enthusiasm. Looking around, Rainy noticed that most of the clientele were their age and remarkably beautiful.
“What is this place?” She darted her eyes around the space; it was themed, like the restaurant they’d just come from.
“It’s a champagne lounge.” Ah, now it made sense: the blush colors on the walls and the stools that resembled champagne bottles. But why order an old-fashioned in a champagne lounge?
“I really am sorry about earlier.” Braithe’s voice drew Rainy back from her thoughts. Her face was earnest, and Rainy believed her—not because of that, but because Braithe had always been honest with her. She glanced over at Tara, who was on the other side of Braithe, and saw her staring at them. Rainy looked away quickly, uncomfortable with the whole vibe.
“I was just having a moment,” Rainy said. “Forget it, it was an overreaction on my part and I’m sorry.”
Braithe smiled, tucking in the corners of her mouth and dimpling her cheeks. She’d styled her chestnut hair high on her head and was wearing a black choker. Rainy would have loved to sketch her. Their drinks arrived with lids. Even the champagne flutes had lids with little spouts to drink from. Rainy picked her rocks glass up in confusion at the same time as giant soapy bubbles began to shoot from the four corners of the room. Everyone began to scream at the same time, holding their hands up for the soapy, wet bubbles to kiss their skin. Rainy looked around, horrified, and then began to laugh as she noticed everyone holding drinks in outstretched arms as they danced around the bar, getting soapy; the sippy cups were brilliant.