The Recipe of Us.

07 | chesire cats

< "Don't cry when the sun is gone because the tears won't let you see the stars." >

༺♡༻

"You're back," Nolan grinned as I reapproached the bar and sat down this time.

"I'm back," I smiled as I drummed my fingers on the counter. "You not into dancing?" He asked as he gestured to the dance floor with a bottle in his hand and I shook my head. He skilfully poured a drink for a redhead sitting two seats down from me.

She seductively smiled at him and pushed her elbows together as she took the drink from his hand. He ignored her and returned to me. I looked down at my nails and wished I was here with Gio. He had to work tonight.

Gio and I haven't established a relationship, but we're together all the time now, to the point where I kind of forgot how to be alone. I think about him all the time, how he's doing, who he's talking to, if he even wants to be with me...

I need to relax.

Nolan placed a drink in front of me and I looked up at him. "I've been trying something new and I was waiting for the right person to test it on," He informed me and I smirked as I lifted the glass and pretended to exam it.

Nolan isn't Gio, but he's a good distraction.

"And I'm the right person?" I asked curiously and he nodded. "What's in it?" I asked and he shook his head.

"Tell me if you like it first."

"Did you poison it-"

"Just drink the damn drink, Riley."

"Okay" I laughed before taking a large sip. He waited patiently as I furrowed my eyebrows and smacked my lips together. "Mmm," I hummed as I set it down. "I hate it."

His face fell and I smiled. "I hate that you didn't make me pay for this. It tastes amazing! Is it on the menu?" I asked and he smiled as relief washed over him. "No, actually it's not. I made it." He answered and I lifted up the glass and finished it.

"You are actually good at your job, and I haven't met many people that are actually good at their jobs." I complimented and he let out a grin, his white teeth on show, and it was contagious. I smiled too.

"You guys are gross. Why are you grinning like cheshire cats?" Avalon grumbled as she slumped in a seat next to me and Nolan gave her a weird look. "Ava, are you okay?" I asked softly and she shook her head and she rested her face on the table.

"No. I'm drunk and horny and Ethan left because he has to go to the office tomorrow. Remind me to never date a guy that has an office job. They're so boring."

Nolan raised his eyebrow with a smirk and I shook my head with a smile. "Avalon say hi to the nice bartender," I teased and she lifted her head and pushed her hair out of her face.

"Hello. My name is Avalon and today is my birthday." She greeted in a bored voice as she held out her hand and Nolan shook it with a smile. "Happy birthday to you, Avalon. Are you having a good time?" He asked and her face fell as she shook her head.

"No, you're hogging my best friend with all your flirting."

My eyes widened momentarily and he played it off and rested both elbows on the table as he met her eye level. "Well Riley's good company. You're lucky to have her."

Avalon's eyes narrowed as she smirked. "You wanna fuck her don't you? She looks hot in that dress right?"

"I'm right here, Ava" I said and she completely ignored me.

"Riley is a very beautiful girl. So much so that she took my breath away when she walked up to the bar to order shots that you drank. By yourself."

They held eye contact in some weird kind of staring contest before Avalon slowly moved away and sat up. "He's fun. I like him." She said and she pointed to him before hopping off the bar stool and heading to the dance floor.

"I'm sorry about her. She has no filter when she's drunk. A-And her boyfriend left so I gotta go look after her." I said as I moved to get up.

He took my hand in his and I gave him a confused look before he started to write his number on my arm with a pen.

"Call me." Was all he said with a wink before he turned away to take orders from other people. I smiled down at my hand before hurrying off to find Avalon in the sea of people in the club.

༺♡༻

"So is it like selective memory or..." Avalon interrupted and I groaned. "Do you wanna jump inside my brain? Would that make you feel better?" I asked her and she shrugged.

"I mean sure. At least then I'd know what you're thinking."

"You told me to remember your birthday. And I did."

"Well can you tell me what happened? Cause I don't remember anything from that night." Ava muttered as she cooked dinner and I smiled. "That night is better left unmentioned." I replied as my phone buzzed again.

"Gio?" Ava asked as I sadly looked at my phone.

"Yeah."

"What do you think he wants?"

"I have no idea. Which is why I'm choosing not to answer." I placed my phone down upside down and stared at the rain falling out of the dark clouds.

I was lost in thought momentarily before I felt someone watching me. I turned around and Avalon gave me a deadpanned look with a cutting knife in her hand.

"I love you and I know you're mourning the death of your relationship, but I swear to God you look like the poster child for depression."

My face scrunched in disgust but she nodded to confirm her thoughts. "You asked Nolan if he wanted to fuck me the night we met." I stayed with a smirk playing on my lips.

Avalon's mouth hung open in shock as I sauntered off to the bathroom.

"Wait!! Seriously?!?"

Don't forget to leave a comment and vote <3