"Oh, um, hi. Nice to meet you!", Dan says a little overwhelmed, obviously not wanting to state why we are here, together, at a gynecologist's office.
"Can we maybe take a selfie?", she now says and whips out her phone to take a quick picture.
After, she adds: "Here to check out the shopping center? I heard they have a few new shops."
"Yes!", Dan and I say in union, glad that she found an excuse herself. We talk for a bit more before goodbyes are said and she walks off.
Dan let's out a long breath: "Fuck. That was... close."
I shake my head: "How does this always happen to us?"
***
Back at home and after a long stroll around London, Dan and I sit in the lounge with Phil and talk about the appointment because Uncle Phil wants to know all of the details. Just as I tell him what happened outside of the café, we all get a text at the same time.
Zoe: Hey guys, hope you're well! I haven't seen you in a while and thought that maybe you wanted to come to mine tonight for a little get together?
We all look at each other: "I don't have anything to do tonight, done with editing.", Phil says and I text Zoe to confirm that we are coming. Also, I look at who else is in the Group: Me, Phil, Dan, Zoe, Louise and Joe.
"Looks like the Squad is coming back.", Dan laughs and rolls his eyes.
***
Later that night we arrive at Zoe's, of course the last to do so. We greet the three already there and mingle around separately, catching up with everyone. Typical Zoe, she prepared tons of food and drinks for everyone. Thankfully she doesn't drink, so mocktails are an option as well.
I am talking to girls when the door bell rings: "Ah looks like they finally made it!", Zoe says and gets up.
"She invited some more people over.", Louise adds to my confused face and in come some of her friends that I don't really know but also Alfie's sister and her boyfriend, who Zoe is still great friends with.
The night is going well and no one is saying anything about me not drinking, until an already intoxicated Joe comes over to me with two drinks in his hands: "Ayoo, how are you? Here you go."
"I'm not drinking tonight.", I say and hand him the beverage back.
"Whaaaaat? Have you gotten boring during this whole engagement and wedding shit?"
I roll my eyes. This is exactly why Dan and I were really contemplating whether or not to invite him. Before I can think of a lie to respond with, Dan stumbles up behind him, of course he does: " Hello sexy, enjoying the night?"
"See?", I point to Dan, "The reason I can't drink."
Dan's silly expression gets serious and wide eyed: "What did you just say?", Joe says.
