Chapter 532 Between Friends
When Madison and Matthew arrived, everyone else who could come was already there, along with an unexpected guest, Cheryl.
When Patrick called Danielle, Cheryl had just dropped them off at the door, overheard the call, and insisted on tagging along, offering to be a free driver.
Danielle had never seen him so shameless before.
Victor and the others already knew Cheryl, but they didn't hang out often. Cheryl was younger and from a different neighborhood, and his family had moved out early due to his family's business.. Plus, everyone had just met at the hospital, so it wasn't surprising that Cheryl came along with Danielle.
Ophelia arrived shortly after Danielle. She had come from the hospital, where she went to visit Willow and the baby after work. She received Liam's message on Facebook at the hospital and didn't stay long, knowing Willow needed rest. She then drove herself to the bar.
She had been quite busy lately and hadn't gone out for a while. She initially planned to go home and rest after the hospital visit, thinking Liam had already gone back. But when she found out they were at the bar, she was thrilled. Even though Willow wasn't there, she and Danielle could still have a good time.
As soon as Madison arrived, Danielle and Ophelia dragged her to dance.
Madison didn't really want to go, but the two energetic young women insisted, pulling her to the dance floor downstairs.
The energetic music and lively dancing made her sweat and exercise more than she had since giving birth to Joy. She felt much lighter after sweating it out.
She had been feeling a bit insecure postpartum, as it was her second pregnancy and birth, and her belly still hadn't flattened. She felt like she still looked three months pregnant. She planned to start yoga and running after weaning, but dancing with Danielle and Ophelia made her realize it could be a great workout, even more so than running.
Upstairs, the men stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching the dancers below.
Patrick was getting restless.
The bar's music switched to a slow piano tune, and Patrick put down his drink, saying he wanted to dance.
The other guys ignored him, except for Cheryl, who agreed to go with him.
Patrick grinned and said, "Matthew, Liam, if you don't go down, Madison and Ophelia will be taken by other men."
Only then did Matthew and Liam notice the music had changed to a ballroom dance. They put down their drinks and headed downstairs.
Patrick then turned to Victor and asked, "Victor, aren't you going?"
Victor, who wasn't interested in dancing, sat on the sofa with his drink. "You guys go ahead. I'll rest a bit."
Patrick didn't push further and went downstairs with Cheryl.
As soon as he and Cheryl got downstairs, two girls approached them for a dance.
Matthew and Liam were also invited by several people but declined expressionlessly.
Patrick, ever the gentleman, bowed and took one girl's hand, saying, "My pleasure."
They walked to the center of the dance floor.
Cheryl and the other girl were left staring at each other. Just as he was about to refuse, Danielle came over and invited him.
Cheryl smiled at Danielle and extended his hand to her.
The girl who had approached first was unhappy and turned to Danielle, asking, "What do you mean? Don't you know first come, first served?"
Danielle retorted, "Didn't you see he doesn't want to dance with you?"
The girl got even angrier, saying, "Which eye of yours saw him refuse me?"
"Oh, then why don't you formally refuse this young lady now?" Danielle said to Cheryl.
Cheryl politely turned to the girl, saying, "Sorry, I can't dance with you."
The girl asked, "Why?"
Cheryl glanced at Danielle before turning back to answer, "Because I want to dance with her."
The girl stormed off angrily, and Danielle belatedly realized that she was blushing. She didn't know why, but seeing another girl standing so close to Cheryl made her rush over to pull him away, as if someone was trying to steal something that belonged to her.
She thought, 'Since when did I start thinking Cheryl as mine?'
After the girl left, Danielle wanted to escape, but Cheryl held her hand tightly. "Where are you going? Didn't you say we were going to dance?"
Danielle's face was blushed, whether from alcohol or shyness, but luckily the bar's dim lighting hid it.
Cheryl smiled and led her to the dance floor.
Danielle kept her head down. It wasn't their first time dancing together, but she had never been this nervous. She could hear her own heartbeat, even more nervous than the first time they danced together.
She thought it must be the new cocktail the bartender recommended that made her act strangely.
She thought, 'Yes, it must be that.'
Cheryl was also quite nervous.
He and Danielle danced in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
Finally, the music stopped, and Danielle quickly let go of Cheryl's hand, running off as if escaping.
Cheryl watched her leave, shaking his head with a wry smile.
They had been at the bar for about two hours when Madison, thinking of her kids at home, suggested they call it a night. The others didn't stay either, deciding to go for a late-night snack, so they all head out together.
Except for Madison and Matthew, the others went for a late-night snack, hiring a driver to take them.
Patrick chose the place, and since Ophelia was with them, they got a private room to enjoy some barbecue.
They had all had a simple dinner at the hospital, and Ophelia hadn't eaten dinner, only an apple on the way. Now, she was eating like she hadn't had a meal in days.
The early autumn night had a slight chill.
They chatted over their meal, staying until the early hours. When they left the barbecue place, they were the last table, and the owner was already cleaning up.
The streets were empty.
Autumn in Horizon City had a lonely feel, but their hearts were full, warm and content.
Maybe friendship wasn't about doing special things together, but being special to each other.
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