Yes Please || c.g. {complete}

"To Carl!"

56

.Layla.

Carl and I pulled up to Stanley's around nine, and he rested his hand on the small of my back as we walked up to the door. He opened it and ushered me inside.

"Officer Carl's here!" came Kev's excited voice from halfway down the bar.

Everyone else turned and their faces lit up.

Debbie and Stella ran to hug both of us before we could take another step into the bar. I laughed as we kissed each other on the cheek.

We walked into the big circle of our friends and family and began greeting them all. I loved hearing everyone congratulate and praise Carl; it made my heart happy.

"We need shots!" Kev bellowed. The bartender began pouring them and then Kev and V began handing them out, the clear liquor sloshing over the rims of the glasses.

When I was handed one, I accepted it reluctantly; not everyone here knew I was pregnant. I couldn't just refuse a celebratory shot in my boyfriend's honor...I would have explaining to do. And what, exactly, would I say?

Carl eyeballed me harshly, but I rolled my eyes and waved him off.

Stella winked at me and I nodded.

"To Carl!" Fiona grinned, holding up her glass.

"To Carl!" everyone repeated as they lifted their glasses to clink with each other's.

Carl didn't take his eyes off me as everyone else moved to pound the shot. As I moved my glass back toward my mouth, Stella stealthily grabbed it from my hand and took it herself before slamming both empty shot glasses in her hands onto the bar.

I sighed in relief and looked around to see if anyone had noticed. They were all busy laughing and talking. No one had seen my silent exchange with my amazing best friend. Shit, I hope there isn't much more of this; Stella will be fucking plastered.

Carl sighed heavily before finally taking his own shot. He waved me over to the bar.

"You almost gave me a heart attack," he muttered into my ear.

I rolled my eyes. "I couldn't just say no to it. People would ask questions that we aren't ready to answer. Stella knew what to do."

The bartender walked over to us.

"An Old Style for me," Carl told her before looking at me. "And..." he smirked, like he was challenging me.

"Just a ginger ale, thanks," I said to the bartender before rolling my eyes at Carl. "See, asshole? Nothing to worry about."

He grinned and kissed my temple. The bartender slid our drinks to us and Carl paid for them before we turned back to the group. Carl was quickly pulled into conversation, and I wandered off to find my friends.

Stella had come with Sophia, Margo, and Monique. I found them in a booth and smiled excitedly before I walked over.

"Hey, girl!" Monique waved as she saw me approaching. She stood up to hug me, followed by Margo and Sophia.

"Thank you so much for coming out tonight!" I beamed as I sat down with them.

"Oh my god, of course!" Sophia smiled. "Like we would miss it!"

I smiled as I took a sip of my ginger ale.

"Ooh, what are you drinking, Mrs. Officer?" Margo winked.

"Oh, uh, just a vodka soda," I smiled as I gripped Stella's leg under the table.

"So are y'all having lots of kinky cop sex, or what?" Monique asked.