Page 107 of HER SISTER

"You know they have bottles in the section right?"

Mili raised an amused brow, "I wanted a different one."

I lazily raised my brows as I leaned my cheek against the palm of my hand, "And now you're getting a mixed drink?" I said, and by my tone it was clear that I was insinuating something.

Mili tilted her head, "Is that an issue with you?"

I shrugged, "I don't know—is the bartender an issue with you?" I said, boldly calling her out.

It wasn't that it was an issue for me if the bartender was an issue with her—I just simply wanted to hear her say it.

Luckily, the woman had gone off to the back to grab more cherries, so she wouldn't have to be awkwardly overhearing our conversation.

Mili's lips twitched up into a smirk, "Ana please," she laughed, clearly amused by my accusation.

I only hummed as I leaned away from my hand, "There's not much else to assume when you come over here—practically putting on a show," I reminded her.

Mili's amused smirk grew, subtly flashing her grill as she said, "We both know that I don't need to put on a show."

And with her insinuative tone and the look she was giving me—it basically felt like she was staking her claim.

Like she knew I wasn't looking at anyone in that manner.

And she was right.

But I still had to have the upper hand—I'm starting to learn how pesky my ego can be at times thanks to therapy.

Mili's dark eyes shifted up slightly as I stood to my full height, easily rising slightly above her in my tall heels.

And as I leaned into her slightly, I navigated to her ear and said, "You don't have to put on a show—but clearly you like to."

And before she could form some sort of rebuttal, I grabbed my drink and wandered off into the crowd.

And as I navigated over toward my section of friends—I felt powerful.

So powerful that I ended up organizing another round of shots for us to take.

Even when Mili seemed to come back over with her freshly made mixed drink—I couldn't help but glance over to her.

She seemed neutral as she sipped on her drink, eyeing Ryder who was now dancing with a random cowboy hat on.

"Are you having fun?" Mya called out to me over the music.

I nodded almost immediately, "Yeah—"

I suddenly glanced over when a random brunette girl passed into our section, easily grabbing Mili's hand and guiding her off into the crowd.

It doesn't bother me.

That's not me being in denial or trying to convince myself.

It just genuinely doesn't bother me—again, I can't help outside circumstances.

Nor Mili's actions.

Mya suddenly looped our arms—guiding us away from the section as she grabbed Arielle's arm too.

"What's going on?" Arielle called out with furrowed brows.

But as soon as Mya navigated us to one of the bathrooms and locked us all in the big stall, I knew why she was pulling us aside.

"Mya it doesn't bother me—honestly I'm good," I assured my best friend who just wanted to check on me.

Arielle leaned against the wall of the large stall, "I'm so confused, what happened?" she said, and I couldn't miss how her words stuck together.

Mya looked over to Arielle, "Some girl just pulled my sister onto the dance floor," she explained.

Arielle made an 'oh' look before glancing over to me, "Are you really good?" she clarified.

"Yes, seriously, you know I don't care about what Mili does anymore—and after everything, I don't think I ever will," I explained, knowing that therapy and being alone had changed me.

I don't have to care about her actions anymore, I can either decide to trust her or not—and simply let go of control over outside circumstances.

If she fucks up then I can only control how I react or handle that.

We all simultaneously looked over when we heard the bathroom door shut—

But as soon as a group of giggles followed it, we knew that a group of very drunk or high girls had entered the bathroom.

Mya sighed as she looked between us, "I just wanted to make sure you were good—that you weren't uncomfortable," she explained.

Arielle nodded, "This is your vacation too," she added.

I smiled at them both, "I'm good—more than good. I've just decided that certain things are out of my control," I explained to them as I leaned against the wall behind me, "I still love Mili and I still want to be with her—but I no longer care about other girls or even ex's for that matter."

Mya smiled slightly, "Now that's progress," she joked.

Arielle smiled with her, "I'm so proud of how far you've come," she added.

And their words alone seemed to make my smile grow so wide that it made my cheeks feel sore.

"Thank you guys," I whispered as I guided them into a full-on hug.

And as we hugged each other tightly, I seemed to feel so warm—it was definitely one of those moments that I found myself feeling grateful for.

"I think after this trip is over and done—I'm going to talk to her," I determined.

Both Mya's and Arielle's brows shot up—

Before smiles grew on both their lips.

"Yes, finally team Anili is back," Arielle said as she did a small happy dance that Mya joined in on.

I couldn't help but laugh, "Team Anili? Did you guys make a ship name for us?" I asked in clear amusement.

"Hell yeah—we've been missing you guys together real bad," Mya said as she hip-bumped me, "You know me and Ryder are meeting Mili down in Cairo after this trip—you should come with us," she suggested.

Arielle nodded a few times, "Yes, you totally should," she said.

I tilted my head, "I don't know... I don't really want to crash her trip without permission," I said.

Mya only waved me off, "Girl I'll ask Mi right now if you can come," she said, but before she could walk past me, I said—

"Let's just wait until I get back to LA for school."

It felt like better timing and that way Mili could focus on her work trip.

Dramatic groans fell from both Arielle and Mya's lips, but it was obvious that they were only joking.

"Fine... I guess I'll experience Cairo without you," Mya said as she playfully rolled her eyes.

Arielle sighed dramatically, "And I guess our favorite couple won't be back together for another couple of months," she joked.

I couldn't help but shake my head at them with an amused laugh, "Anili—like I can't even believe you guys came up with that," I said as Mya unlocked the bathroom door.

Mya shrugged as we all exited the large stall, "We've all been rooting for you from the sidelines—even Ryder and Damon," she added.

And I couldn't help but smile slightly, it was cute how everyone had genuinely missed Mili and me being together.

"Go team Anili!" one of the drunk girls by the sink called out.

And seconds after a gag was followed after it by one of her friends in the open stall throwing up.

The blonde girl bent over the toilet and the girl holding back her hair both managed to call out, "Team Anili!"

I couldn't help but laugh with Arielle and Mya, "Do you see what you guys have done?" I joked as we walked out of the bathroom.

"What? Create a creative ship name?" Arielle joked over the loud music.

Mya nodded, "Yeah because we ate that," she emphasized.

I only rolled my eyes as we headed back over to our section—

And upon making it back, it seemed that Ryder and Mili were taking a round of shots.

"Wait we all gotta do one," Mya called out as the two threw their shots back.

Ryder only shook his head as he sat his shot glass down on the table, "Nah Mi is cut off—she just took three shots back to back."

Almost immediately, I looked over to Mili with clear concern, which I couldn't necessarily help.

"Four," Mili blankly correctly.

I blinked a few times, "Four? Why are we going so hard?" I said, not even bothering to stop the words from falling from my lips.

Mili's eyes suddenly met mine—and yet again, time seemed to slow as she carefully held my stare.

But I was easily snapped out of my trance yet again when she suddenly stood from her seat on the couch, "I'm going to get a drink," she said, easily walking off before any of us could stop her.

Ryder immediately stood from the couch, clearly about to follow her and stop her.

But Mya managed to pull him back, "What happened?" she called out over the music.

Ryder shrugged, "I don't know—she just came back over and randomly started pouring shots," he explained before he managed to break off to follow Mili.

I tilted my head slightly, suddenly realizing that maybe what I said by the bar earlier might've pressed her nerves.

Or maybe it had nothing to do with me.

Maybe she just wanted to drink.

Either way, I knew I didn't like the idea of her being so drunk tonight or hungover tomorrow.

It made me wish that we weren't in such an awkward place, so I could take her out of here before she could do any more damage with alcohol.

But we're not, which means I have to let her make her own decisions.