Just Colleagues

21. Kook vs. Pogue- a Rematch

Briar's POV:

We're at Kie's place, a whirlwind of makeup, hairspray, and laughter. It's Midsummers night, and the excitement is palpable. Sarah is in front of the mirror, carefully applying her eyeliner, while Kie is sitting on her bed, curling her hair. I'm at the vanity, putting the finishing touches on my eyeshadow.

"Do you think the guys are even ready yet?" Kie asks, pausing to look at her reflection critically.

Sarah snorts. "John B and JJ? Please. They're probably just throwing on their suits last minute and hoping for the best."

I laugh, imagining the scene. "I bet they're scrambling as much as we are. You know how they are."

Sarah nods, grinning. "John B's probably asking JJ to tie his tie for him. Again."

Kie rolls her eyes. "And JJ's probably making a mess of it. I swear, those boys wouldn't survive without us."

I finish my eyeshadow and reach for my mascara. "Well, at least we know they'll clean up nice. They always do."

Sarah steps back from the mirror, inspecting her work. "There. Perfect. What about you, Briar? How are you feeling about tonight?"

I hesitate for a moment, my thoughts drifting to Rafe. "I'm excited, but... I can't help but feel a little nervous."

Kie looks up from her hair. "Nervous? Why?"

I shrug, trying to brush off the feeling. "I don't know. I guess I just want everything to go smoothly."

Sarah gives me a sympathetic look. "You're going with Rafe, girl. He's crazy about you. You'll have a great time."

Kie finishes her last curl and sets down the curling iron. "You will. And you look stunning, by the way. That dress Rafe got you is perfect."

I glance at myself in the mirror, the soft pink dress fitting me like a glove. "Thanks. It's really sweet of him."

Kie stands up, smoothing down her dress. "Alright, ladies, time to finish up and get going. We can't keep the boys waiting."

We gather our things, the air filled with anticipation. As we head out the door, I can't help but wonder what the night will bring. The thought sends a thrill of excitement through me, mixed with a touch of nervousness.

In the car, Sarah starts up her playlist, and we sing along to our favorite songs. By the time we pull up to the country club, we're all buzzing with excitement.

The country club is still relatively empty when we arrive. The early evening light casts a golden glow over the pristine lawns, and the decorations for Midsummers are elegant and understated. The grand ballroom inside is set up with tables draped in white linen, and the air is filled with the faint sound of a string quartet.

Sarah, Kie, and I make our way inside, our heels clicking against the polished floor. We look around, but there's no sign of our dates yet. I can feel a slight pang of disappointment as I scan the room for Rafe. He's not here yet, and neither are John B or JJ.

Sarah lets out an exasperated sigh. "Where are they? They better not be late."

Kie crosses her arms, looking equally annoyed. "Seriously. They know how important tonight is."

I try to keep my spirits up. "Maybe they're just running a little behind. Let's not let it ruin our night."

Sarah nods, but she still looks frustrated. "You're right. Let's distract ourselves. How about we go to the bar and get some drinks?"

Kie perks up at the suggestion. "Sounds good to me, chief."

We head to the bar, and the bartender greets us with a friendly smile. "What can I get for you ladies?"