Their nervousness softened as they slid into the booth with Pete and I, smiles shifting more to thanks as they settled into the cushioned leather.
“Thank you soooo much,” said the brunette. “It’s standing room only now, and, well,” she extended a shapely leg out to reveal stiletto heels that looked like a recipe for a sprained ankle “I didn’t really pick good shoes for that.” A crystalline laugh rang out from her friend.
“Amy those shoes will be the death of you one of these days,” said the redhead. “I swear you still dress like we’re teenagers. I’m Tracy,” she said, smiling widely as her friend readjusted her dress, “And this reprobate is Amy.”
Pete and I laughed and I tried my best to push the stubborn lust clouding my brain aside. I’m a married man, I thought to myself, doing my best not to admire the way the girls’ laughs moved their bodies.
“A pleasure to meet you both,” Pete said, stepping in to rescue my addled mind. “I’m Pete, and this is Tim. What brings you here this fine evening?”
“Booze!” said Amy, holding her alarmingly coloured drink high before taking a long sip through the glass straw.
“Although at these prices we probably only get to have one,” sighed Tracy, before taking a sip from her equivalently elaborate concoction. “The grad student life doesn’t lend itself to riches”
“I remember those days.” I commiserated back. “But I promise it does get better, money wise, at least. Pete and I used to do experiments for the Psych students to make beer money when we were in grad school. Less of a problem these days, right Pete?”
“Absolutely.” Pete replied “Anyway, I’m sure our budget can stretch to a few drinks for our new friends”
The ice broken, I started to relax a little, listening to Pete settle in to story telling about our time as students and listening to the replies, mostly supplied by Amy about the girls. In spite of Tracy being the one to approach us, it was obvious that she was the shyer of the pair and she was content to let Amy carry most of the conversation. It became apparent that the girls were later year grad students, Amy studying biology and Tracy chemistry, and the girls were enjoying a rare night out. We made some small talk, Pete and I explaining our history as engineering grad students, and commiserating with how much study consumes your life.
“My asshole of a boyfriend dumped me,” Amy chimed in unexpectedly, eyes taking on a slightly faraway look “He said I spent too much time in the lab and not enough time with him” She shook her head slightly as if to clear it, “But whatever, he sucked anyway” she drained the rest of her drink in a single gulp. “Were you serious about that drink?” she looked over at Pete imploringly.
“Of course. I’ll get the next round, but you’ll need to tell me what you want”
Amy immediately sprung to her feet, nearly tripping in her heels as she reached over to grab Pete’s hand and pull him to the bar with her. Tracy and I laughed as Pete looked allowed himself to be bewilderedly dragged away.
With our more talkative companions gone, Tracy and I looked at each other shyly, both of us reaching to take a drink at the same time to try and mask the sudden silence and avoid being the first to speak. Tracy laughed at the awkwardness and broke the silence.