Surrender 01 - Surrender

try her hand at serious drinking again. A little bit of wine was different from clubbing with the girls.
    The need for friends overrode her fear of alcohol, though, so she figured she might as well suck it up. It might not be as bad as last time. And it wasn’t as if she could make her life any worse than it already had been over the last year.
    “Did you drive to work today, Ari?”
    “No. My car has been having engine trouble. I took the bus in.”
    “Good. We’ll all take the bus over there and then not have to worry about having a designated driver. I hate pulling straws ’cause I always seem to end up with the short one.”
    Ari looked at Shelly with a bit of surprise. She was always the efficient one in their office, but it seemed that once five o’clock hit, her sights were set on partying versus filing paperwork. Ari had to admit she was enjoying the group of women. Her worries were quickly left behind as they exited the building and headed for the nearest bus stop.
    It didn’t take them long to reach the club, where they found a crowd already waiting for entrance outside in the cold night air.
    “Wow. I wasn’t expecting so many people to be out this early,” Ari commented.
    “It’s Friday, happy-hour time. Everyone has the same idea as we do — to blow some of their paycheck before getting locked up with the kids all weekend. Even if my husband and I weren’t swimming in debt, I’d be out working just to keep my sanity,” Amber remarked.
    “I don’t think we can get in.”
    “Don’t worry, Ari. I have connections.”
    Ari watched Shelly approach a stunningly gorgeous bouncer, who embraced her before nodding his head. Shelly gestured for them to follow her, and once inside, Ari found herself seated on a high stool at a crowded circular bar; she watched chefs prepare sushi rolls with lightning speed and supreme art .
    The lights were turned down low and the noise level was high; waiters moved among the patrons while friends visited. The pulsing energy in the room helped the last of Ari’s concerns float out the window. With her new friends next to her, she was determined to have a wonderful time.
    “Ari, I did tell my friend, Tony, that if he could get us in, you’d head to the back room later and let him get to at least third base. I knew you wouldn’t mind.”
    Ari choked on her drink and sent an incredulous look Amber’s way. She was unable to tell whether the woman was kidding or not. She really hoped so.
    Thankfully, Amber couldn’t keep up the serious expression for long and soon burst into laughter.
    “I wish I had my camera right now. You should see the expression you’re wearing. Trust me, girl, Tony has zero problems getting dates. Just look at him. If I weren’t already married, I’d be ripping his clothes off with my teeth. Heck, for that matter, if I get a few drinks in me, I might just go ahead and take him for a spin anyway.”
    “I have to admit that you girls frighten me a little,” Ari replied , sending the women into fits of laughter.
    “What are you ladies drinking?”
    Ari looked up at the waiter and was more than a little grateful for the interruption.
    “We’ll have a round of tequila shots followed by apple martinis . Just make sure you don’t take too long for our next round. We don’t have a ton of time to get drunk enough to face going home,” Miley said as she batted her eyes at the young and gorgeous man who was taking their orders.
    “Mmm, don’t worry, I’m always very attentive to pretty ladies,” he flirted right back before sending a wink Ari’s way and then taking off to the bar.
    “Wow. I bet I could get wild and kinky with him. Too bad he was looking straight at you, Ari. He must have realized you’re the only one available,” Shelly said with a smile.
    “I’m not available. Just because I’m single doesn’t mean I have any desire to date. I have my mom to take care of, work to do, and more importantly, school to think about. I will get back and graduate.”
    “Yeah, well, you know what they say…all work and no play…”
    “I’m just fine with all work.” Her three co-workers looked at each other and rolled their eyes.
    “Here you are, ladies. I brought an extra round of tequila shots for you — on the house.”
    “Mmm, mmm. You’re a man after my own heart,” Miley purred as she batted her eyelashes. “Our friend here was just saying what a nice ass you have.”
    Ari gasped in mortification as the waiter