Chapter 36: Panther Hunted

Drink!" Alanna shouted just before the three of them lifted their shot glasses into the air and downed the tequila.

Lainie felt the alcohol burn her throat as she swallowed, eyes clenched shut as her body shivered from the sharp taste, quickly following the shot with a long swallow of her ice-cold beer. When she opened her eyes, she noticed Josh and Alanna were doing the exact same thing. It was a universal reaction to tequila no matter how smooth.

"Perfect," Alanna said in a wheeze. "We should do another."

Lainie just laughed. "Yeah, you sound like you're ready for another shot." She shook her head as she continued to laugh. This was definitely not the way she intended to spend her Wednesday night, but she was glad for the distraction. And the booze. Alanna surprised Lainie by being so accepting of her and even joining in on the jokes at Josh's expense. The redhead even sat by Lainie on the couch as opposed to choosing to be near Josh. It almost felt as if the other woman flirted wit