Pulling into the parking lot of the bar Trenton squeezed Annas hand giving her a wide smile. Tossing the car into park he gets out jogging happily to the other side to let Anna out while Maddy shoved Dawson out of the backseat in annoyance.
"Alright everyone gets a challenge" Maddy started clapping her hands together for emphasis.
Dawsons head tilts to the side slightly "What do you mean challenge?"
She hands Anna a birthday sash and tiara that sits nicely in her hair. "Well Anna's is to get all her drinks paid for and to dance on a bar. It's her birthday so she gets two."
"Ok and what is everyone else's?" Trent questioned not really getting the point but went along anyways to be supportive.
"Dawson anytime someone ask you to dance, do the Irish jig with direct eye contact until they leave"
"What even is that? Why is mine so embarrassing" Dawson groaned crossing his arms across his chest.
Maddy rolled her eyes, "You're hot they will get over it fast"
He shrugged "Whatever" Dawson added trying to hide the smirk threatening his face.
"What's mine?" Trenton asked Maddy, wanting to feel included.
"Um-" Maddy leaned towards Anna whispering between them for a moment, "Alright you get scavenger hunt. You have to collect bandanas, for each one you get I will buy you a drink."
"Oh ok, that sounds fun." Trent smiled holding Annas hand as they got to the door.
The guy at the door asked for their IDs and after passing he let them inside. The place was huge, kind of like that bar in the footloose movie.
As they stepped further inside, the lively beat of the music moved around them. Trenton glanced around, taking in the lively atmosphere with a grin.
"Alright, let's do this!" he exclaimed, his excitement palpable as he scanned the room for his first target.
Anna, decked out with her birthday sash and tiara, looked both nervous and thrilled at the prospect of completing her challenges. She clung to Trenton's hand, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Maddy wasted no time in directing Dawson towards the dance floor, urging him to start working on his challenge. With a shrug, Dawson dove into the crowd.
As for Trenton, he set off on his scavenger hunt with determination, weaving through the throng of people in search of bandanas. Each time he spotted someone wearing one, he approached them with a winning smile, charming his way into acquiring the colorful fabric.
"You are hot, it is your birthday. Have fun Anna, don't overthink it. I will buy your first 4 shots for some liquid courage after that its on you." Maddy smiled waving towards the bartender getting his attention putting in Annas shots and a drink for herself.
"You said everyone gets a challenge? So, what's yours?"
"Do you really want to know" Maddy pulled her lips back making a really awkward smile.
"Hold on" Anna tossed back the shots the bartender set down one after another before taking a deep breath. "Ok tell me"
"Get Dawson to like me." She admitted
"Madelyn Hadley" Anna covered her mouth with her hand before slipping it down slightly, "he has a girlfriend."
"Not like that Anna god, I don't think he likes me and I want to try to be friends maybe."
Right as Trenton came up to the bar with his first bandana a bell rang loudly through the space. "We have a birthday in the house tonight, Miss Annaleah Prestley is at the bar buy the pretty lady a drink or 6" A deep voice announced. Everyone turned towards her and cheered loudly while she smiled nervously.
Anna blushed furiously as all eyes turned to her, the spotlight suddenly shining on her in the midst of the bustling bar. She couldn't help but feel a mixture of embarrassment and excitement at the unexpected attention.
Trenton grinned proudly at her, his eyes twinkling with admiration as he made his way back to her side, bandana in hand. "Looks like you're already making a splash, birthday girl," he teased, leaning in to plant a quick kiss on her cheek.
Anna laughed nervously, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze upon her. But as Maddy slid a drink across the bar towards her, she took a deep breath, letting the warmth of the alcohol embolden her.
"Thank you!" she called out to the crowd, raising her glass in a toast before taking a sip. The nerves began to fade away, replaced by a growing sense of exhilaration.
Meanwhile, Dawson, oblivious to the attention on Anna, was busy charming his way through his own challenge, effortlessly collecting phone numbers from the girls he approached.
As the night wore on, the four friends dove headfirst into alcohol and the dance floor.
Dawsons challenge was completed within the first hour so he spent the rest of his time dancing with Maddy since Trenton and Anna were to busy with each other.
Trenton had collected 18 bandanas before he tapped out, the colorful pieces of cloth were tied onto his belt loops.
Anna challenge was completely entirely after her 13 shots and 4 mixed drinks were paid for by multiple people and after everything kicked in, she danced to dirty Diana on top of the bar
Maddy's was still to be determined.
"we have to-" hiccup. "get in the" hiccup. "car, Trenton" Anna sputtered out while Trenton helped her walk. Even though he had 18 bandanas he had only had 6 drinks telling Maddy he will take one favor at anytime instead and she agreed.
"Yes, hon I know. I'm taking you to the car." Getting to the car he opened the back and helped her in before sitting in the back with her. She settled into the seat and laid her head on his lap. Trenton urged to uber driver to go ahead slowly petting Annaleah's hair.
YOU ARE READING
Playing with Fire
RomanceAnnaleah Prestley grew up in a small town where she was a loner. Often by herself Anna became independent at a young age. Straight out of high school she started writing. She moved to Seattle to work at the Holt and Burke publishing house. She was...
