Page 25 of Paradise & Vodka

"Helping you out, baby. Now you'll have extra money to hire me again." He smirked.

I chuckled and then downed my second drink, already feeling better.

"Want to dance?" Nick asked.

I looked at the area in front of the band playing. "No one is dancing."

"Doesn't mean we can't."

"I need another drink first," I stated. I usually didn't drink that much. If it were only Nick and me, I would be fine, but it wasn’t, so we ordered another round and then grabbed a table. I spotted some of Douglas's friends, who I knew from college, but none of them came to speak to me. My parents, however, did.

"Having a good time?" Mom asked as they walked up.

"We are," I replied.

"I'm sorry I didn't realize you were dating anyone. I feel horrible," she stated.

I grunted a sarcastic laugh under my breath. "Yeah, well, the last year has been non-stop talk about this wedding."

"Your sister getting married is a big deal."

I wasn't sure if it was the alcohol flowing through my veins or if I just didn't give a fuck any longer because I snapped, "Tomyex-boyfriend. The same one I was dating when they fucked for the first time."

"Ashleigh," Dad scolded.

Nick slid off his stool and stood next to me, my security blanket coming to the rescue.

"Why are you scolding me, Dad? That's the truth."

"Because it's not the time or place," he stated.

"And when was the time or place? I haven't talked to Everleigh since that night, and everyone is pretending like it didn't happen."

"They are just better for each other," Mom indicated.

"I'm curious why you think that." I crossed my arms over my chest.

My parents shared a look, and then Mom said, "They have more in common."

"Really? Did Everleigh go to Columbia? Does she have a college degree?"

"No, but they both like to golf," Dad chimed in.

"Everleigh never golfed before she met him. How do you know she isn't doing it to fit in?" I countered.

"Look, I'm sorry about this. We didn't come over here to argue with you," Mom admitted.

"So, why did you?"

"We wanted to see how you were doing and get to know Nate," she responded.

"It's Nick," I corrected.

"Sorry," she muttered.

"What would you like to know?" Nick questioned.

"Anything," Dad replied.