Normal People - Strange Encounters Book Two

Chapter 38

Amelia couldn't help but pause as she walked toward the outdoor dining area at the restaurant. Slowly, the world was starting to return to normal as the vaccine for the COVID pandemic was distributed. Dining out had always been a luxury Amelia splurged on before, and she had missed it for the past year.

She gazed around the dimly lit area, admiring the little old fashion twinkle lights marking the perimeter the restaurant had claimed in the grassy park. A live band sat situated on a makeshift stage away from the diners, and each seating area had it's own stainless steel heater to brace against the sharp March air. As Amelia looked around, trying to sneak a peak at a passing waiter's tray filled with pasta, she caught a glimpse of an arm waving wildly in the distance. 

"Spence, I think.." Slowly the scene in front of her registered. Penelope, Derek, Emily, JJ, and Miranda all sat around a hightop, empty glasses showing they'd been there for a while already.

"Told you we'd be late" Spencer smirked as he walked past her toward their friends. 

"Congratulations on the new gig, lady!" Penelope squealed as she pulled Amelia into a tight hug. Miranda laughed behind her.

"My turn, c'mere you babe!" Miranda followed suit, pulling her into another embrace. Amelia's nose twitched at the familiar smell lingering around her friend. 

"Here to surprise me and you already had tequila without me?"

"Nose like a hound, you've got!" Miranda exclaimed, beckoning a server over and ordering a round of shots for the group. 

"I am oh so happy you got the job at the center! Of course, I knew before you, but only because I might have done a little sleuthing out of my own morbid curiosity."

"Babygirl, what have I told you about digging into people's private information like that?" Amelia chuckled as Penelope swatted Derek's arm.

"Pen, you got me that job. You can dig into anything you ever find on me now and for the rest of eternity" she laughed. "But seriously, thank you so much for suggesting it and putting me in touch with Namdi. I'm so so excited."

"When do you start?" Emily asked as she set the shot glasses around the table. Amelia felt Spencer's arm slip around her waist and she leaned into him without looking at him, habitually. 

"I'm going in sometime next week for introductions and to sign some paperwork, then I'll officially start a week from Monday."

"That must be so exciting, I'm so happy for you! Here's to Lee!" Emily held the tiny glass up, and the rest of the group joined. 

"To Lee" Spencer chimed in with everyone else, grinning down at his girlfriend. Amelia giggled as she watched Spencer toss the shot back, grinning as he winced and quickly took a swig from her mixed drink in front of her. "I don't know why you love this stuff so much," he coughed. 

Amelia threw her head back and smoothy downed the liquid, grinning at him as she wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. She felt the alcohol slowly warm her stomach, but decided she didn't want to drink anymore. She leaned into Spencer's side.

"I'll drive tonight if you wanna drink s'more."

"But you're the one we're celebrating, I-"

"Spence, you don't have to. But you always DD me," she chuckled at the memory of her and Miranda blaring Taylor Swift after a night out once as Spencer drove them home. "I'm just saying, I'm done."

Spencer shrugged, and she could tell he was contemplating by the way his lips pursed slightly. He gestured to the waiter, ordering himself a jack and coke.