?Chapter 1705:
At nine that evening, the Rosemary Nightclub pulsed with deafening music, the air thick withyered scents of alcohol, perfume, and sweat. Seated in a curved booth, Ste surveyed the scene and felt profoundly out of ce. She couldn’t even remember thest time she had set foot in a club like this — years, probably.
She grabbed the cocktail sitting in front of her, tipped her head back, and drained it in one long swallow, hoping the alcohol would help her sink into the chaotic atmosphere faster.
When she reached for a second drink, Sharon’s hand shot out to cover hers. “Slow down. Those pack a serious punch.”
Ste offered a faint smile. “I’m fine. We hardly ever do this anymore. And don’t you remember — I used to be able to hold my liquor.”
The reminder made Sharon pause, distant memories surfacing. Ste’s alcohol tolerance had always been quite solid. Now that Sharon thought about it, she couldn’t remember ever seeing Ste actually drunk.
Josie observed Ste with obvious worry, but she understood that she needed some kind of release. Sometimes alcohol really was the best medicine avable.
After throwing back several more drinks in quick session, the weight pressing on Ste’s mind finally began to lift. She started moving to the music.
More than an hourter, the bottles scattered across their table had been drained nearly dry. Sharon pulled out her phone and ced another order. Minutester, a server materialized at their table carrying a basket loaded with fresh drinks.
At that exact moment, a familiar figure wove through the crowd and came to a halt directly in front of their booth.
“Ms. Russell?”
Ste lifted her gaze, and despite the chaotic wash of colored lights, she recognized him immediately. Rufus stood there in the bar’s ck server uniform, the drink basket bnced in his hands, shock written all over his face. He clearly hadn’t expected to encounter Ste in a ce like this — and beyond surprise, embarrassment flickered across his features.
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Ste blinked hard, wondering if the alcohol was ying tricks on her. “Rufus? What are you doing here?”
Color rose in his cheeks, though the dim lighting concealed most of it. “I work here part-time. Waiting tables.” He hesitated, then rushed to rify. “It’spletely legitimate. I’m just earning money for living expenses.” Even though the venue was a nightclub, he genuinely wasn’t involved in anything shady.
Understanding dawned, and Ste smiled warmly at him. “There’s nothing wrong with honest work. If anything, it’s admirable.”
Relief washed visibly across Rufus’s face. His eyes dropped to the collection of empty sses clustered in front of Ste. “Would you like to order anything else? I can get you the employee discount.”
The mention of a discount caught Sharon’s attention. She looked the handsome young man up and down with obvious interest before jumping in. “Perfect! Bring us one bottle of everything on your bestseller list. We’re going all out tonight!”
Josie opened her mouth to protest — there was no way the three of them could consume that much alcohol. But Ste caught Josie’s eye and gave a small shake of her head. A few bottles wouldn’t break their budgets, and this was a rare night out for all of them. They might as well make it count.
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