Forty- three

Alex

“Dude, I still think you should stay in,” I threw my head back and groaned at Geri’s persistence, while I adjusted my bow tie underneath the collar of my dress shirt.

“And you’ve said that the millionth time today, Geri. Goddamn,” I shot back, weaving around him in search of my keys.

“Well, you can't blame me for worrying about you,” he grumbled under his breath. “You’re not fit to be working right now. You'll be surrounded by alcohol when you get there. What if they make you drink, or what if you inhale too much alcohol and get poisoned again?!”

My lips quirked up in amusement and I spun around, unable to hide my chuckles. “Geri. It doesn’t work like that,” I assured him, placing a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. “I’ll be fine. My shift won’t take that long, if you’re worried. Derek promised me. I’m not stupid to drink right when I’m recovering, so calm down,”

I could see his body relax, but he was still annoyed.

An hour earlier, Derek called urgently, saying Sky and a