It's Not Up To You

9. Better? For Who?

- - -

"You guys have been together how long?" I ask and set my glass down.

The group and I have been talking for almost two hours now. I'm about four drinks in, and Nathaniel and I are co-sipping his Vodka-water.

"Since we were fourteen." Nino says as he leans back and wraps his arm around his girlfriend, Alya, "So what, that's eight years?"

"Almost nine." Alya chimes in and places her hand on his chest.

The two are curled up on a small lounge couch, and I'm sitting on Nathaniel's lap, while Marinette and her friend, Chloe, smush into a large armchair. Crowded bar means less than optimal seating, but no one's bothered, we're having too good of a time.

Marinettes friends are so sweet and I feel incredibly appreciative that she invited me. I've been drunkenly smiling at her all night.

"Wow," I say to the happy couple, "Any thoughts of marriage?" I ask.

"Oh, absolutely. He's been asking since we turned nineteen." She laughs, "It's me, though. I didn't want to be married before I finished school."

"And I'm a very patient man." He teases.

They snuggle into each other and Chloe and I "aw" at their sweetness. Marinette on the other hand, "Bleh! Get a room!"

Alya sticks her tongue out, "She no longer thinks we're cute!"

"I've been along the ride for those entire eight almost nine years." Marinette says, "No longer cute!" She smiles and passes a glass to Chloe.

"What about you, boss? Is love finding you?" I tease Marinette and bat my lashes dramatically.

Marinette turns red in the face, "At the moment, it's a maybe."

Everyone in the group makes an audible noise, with the exception of Nathaniel, who's been practically silent the whole night.

"You better tell!" Chloe chirps and smacks Marinettes knee.

Marinette smiles into her drink and takes a long gulp, "She's real nice," Marinette says and sits back as if the matter's finished. Alya scowls at Marinette from across the table. Marinette sits up and continues, "And we only went out like, maybe, two times so it's nothing serious!" She rambles nervously.

Chloe kisses the top of Marinettes head, "I'm happy for you."

Marinette wraps her arm around Chloe and squeezes her gently.

"Want another?" Nathaniel asks me and clinks the glass with his fingernail.

"A Sangria maybe, but I'll get it myself, don't worry." I tell him.

The group around us eases into their own conversations.

"I'll come with." He says.

I shrug, "Sure."

I hop off his lap and head to the bar. The barstools are much less empty than before and the bartender looks bored.

"White Sangria for the lady and a Whiskey Sour for me." He tells the bartender before I could.

The bartender nods and starts rummaging for the glasses.

"Whiskey Sour? You rarely hear that one." I say.

Nathaniel laughs, "Dad was a classy cocktail-loving guy. You pick up on that childhood fascination as an adult." He explains, "Nice restaurants always had the coolest garnish's and glasses. I couldn't wait to grow up and drink." He jokes.