Adore

Chapter 55

I took a tentative sip of the iridescent purple cocktail in front of me. The taste all but exploded in my mouth and I was surprised about how many ingredients I could taste, not just the tequila.

"Wow" I said for about the hundredth time so far tonight. I took a second and much larger sip this time. The tequila taste was much more prominent in that mouthful but still not too powerful.

"Want to try?" I said offering the cocktail to Tom.

"You enjoy it love" He said smiling at me. I grinned and laughed lightly taking another sip.

"I reckon one night we should have a bit of a house party at mine" I said to Tom.

"Oh yeah? When were you thinking?" Tom said, after swallowing his mouthful of beer.

"Maybe sometime after Christmas around New Years?" I pondered, thinking it could work.

"Good idea, I've got another friend of mine I'd like you to meet" He mentioned.

"That'd be nice" I said, I felt like since knowing Tom I'd been a lot more social than I would have been without him.

We looked over the main menus for a good five minutes before deciding on our meals. Rob took our orders and we fell back into conversation again. I'd all but finished my drink already.

"Can I get you another?" Tom offered, pointing to my empty glass.

"Oh I'll get it, that's okay" I said before standing and making my way to the bar before he had time to argue.

"What can I get for you?" One of the bartenders spoke to me in a thick Birmingham accent.

"Can I please get another Desert Thorn?" I asked, pulling my bank card from my clutch.

"Comin' up" He spoke before grabbing what to me just looked like random bottles but I knew it would taste amazing. As I was waiting for my drink, I noticed two figures standing near our table. The pair were talking excitedly to Tom.

"Here you go Miss" the bartender spoke, snapping me out of my stare. I paid what I owed and thanked him for the drink, heading back to my table.

As I got closer I heard the two people talking to Tom about how much they loved his role in Spiderman Homecoming and how they couldn't wait to see more from him. They were partially blocking the entry to the booth so I awkwardly hung around before they noticed me.

Both the girl and the guy looked me up and down, quite obviously judging my appearance. Tom poked his head out of the booth and smiled at me, I couldn't help but return it.

"Hey" I said quietly.

"Hey, would you mind taking a photo for us?" Tom asked me.

"Of course" I replied politely, setting my drink on the table and the two fans moved for me slightly.

"Can you take one on my phone please?" The guy spoke addressing me.

"No worries" I said and opened up the camera. I made sure everyone was in frame.

"Alright, ready? Say cheese" I spoke, snapping a few shots as they all smiled at me. I handed the phone back to the guy as he thanked me. The girl smiled at me half heartedly, she appeared to be about the same age as me.

"Thanks so much Tom" The girl said.

"And thanks ahh, what was your name?" The friend asked me.

"I'm Rhylee" I said, trying my best to appear platonic and friendly to them.

"Thanks, Sorry to interrupt you guys" The guy spoke, gesturing between Tom and I. The pair waved and headed away from the table.

Tom probably couldn't see from his angle, but I saw the girl quickly turn back with her phone held up, pointing to us. My heart dropped slightly, wondering what was going to be said about the photo online.