Letting lose

"Hey Viola, the guys and I are going to Thirsty's, you coming?"

Viola and Cindy spun around to meet Stacy as she had a small band of coworkers with her. Everyone was just tired and done for the day, wanting to go home and make the most of the extra free time. Yea, I know what you're saying: we only had 3 hours, what are you lazy? I mean I'd love to be, yea. We're tired, I'm tired, and it's more of a mental kind of exhaustion than a physical one. When you've been on the same job for a couple of years, you begin to wear down. That's just how it is here.

"Yea join us Vee, grab ourselves a beer and just let loose."

"Gary, isn't it like still morning though?"

Gary was a decent guy with a big mouth. He'd talk the good talk but after several weeks we began to catch on to how he really is. Not to say he's a dick, he's a pretty chill guy to hang around with and talk for a moment. Just careful he doesn't get into it with someone else who won't take crap from anyone, like myself. Oh, I suppose I should mention the time when he would try and flirt from time to time.

Still does.

He shrugged with a sly smile. "Bound to be happy hour somewhere, am I right?"

Stacy smirked, hand on her hip. "So, you tagging with or what?"

"I don't know... not much of a drinker..."

"Well I don't see why not, could be amusing."

Viola looked over at Cindy who smiled back. "You're going with them?"

"I mean, yea I don't have much else to do today. What's the worst that can happen, besides you don't need to order ****, just some snacks or a soda would do."

"I guess..."

"You look like you could use a drink. Please?" Cindy pouted, making a sad puppy dog face. Viola couldn't help but chuckle at that.

"Okay, sure thing."

"Wonderful, we'll tag along then dear!" Cindy cheered toward Stacy who held a thunbs up in return. Viola shrugged, following behind them before entering the familiar bar of which a certain brit seemed fond of. Pretty sure that's why Cindy seemed so nonchalant about agreeing. A moment later and they were all crowding around, looking for seats at separate tables.

"Budge up, good sir." Cindy teased, having the man scoot his stool away to make room for her. Viola awkwardly took the seat next to her, and Stacy sat down behind her pinning Viola in the middle. The look on the bartenders face as over 20 employees suddenly crowded around the bar in the morning was rather priceless as she dropped her arms to her sides.

"Did y'all get fired or somethin'?"

"Not quite, just an early shift for an early bird my good fellow. Margarita please, oh make it double."

"Triple!" Stacy added with a beam. "Let's make tonight memorable, girls!"

"It's still morning." Viola muttered back, her voice but a whisper when the rest of her coworkers cheered and howled on.

"Yea but what he said, bound to be the evening somewhere." Stacy added with a smirk as their three drinks were poured and placed in front. The way he shook the mixture before pouring it was always an oddly satisfying sound for her, reminiscent of her first job after graduation.

"So so, anyone taken yet?" Stacy broke the ice, slicing the tension with a loud butcher's knife. Cindy giggled while sipping her drink as Viola coughed onto hers. "Ohhh someone can't handle her ****. Spill it, Vee! The drinks never lie!"

"Fuck off cough cough, don't get your hopes up I'm still single."

"Oh really, what about that hunky neighbor of yours?"

Cindy gasped, looking back and forth between Stacy and Viola with a hand over her mouth. "My word, when did this occur?"

"It didn't."

"For a few days now, last week actually. I think monday now, yea? Doesn't that mean you had the weekend to see him?" She teased, making kiss noises with Viola groaning and turning away.

"Well, I didn't think our Viola would be so daring. A neighbor man, is he cute?"

"Shut uuuup."

"According to her, he's like a single dad, kinda big on the chest but soft looking hair and a few tattoos on him. Want to share how that started, Vee?"

"Stacy, drop it. Seriously."

Stacy scoffed but turned her head, eaising her hand up. "Alright then, sherriff. Touchy subject I see. Totally not feeling any pushback here."

Viola groaned before finishing off her drink, leaving Cindy amused. So much for not drinking. Figuring to change the subject, Cindy cleared her throat.

"So, may I inquire as to what lies behind your schedule for the week, girls?"

"May I inquire, listen to you so formal." Stacy quipped. "Nah, I'm busy. Got myself a date settled for tomorrow."

"Oooh, do tell?"

"Yea, spur of the moment type of deal, he seems nice. I don't know, I figured I spent long enough being single so why not. You never know until you just go for it, if you spend too long thinking twice, the moment will just pass on by and then you'll be left without another shot." She explained, sipping on her margarita. Viola frowned on those words, she couldn't tell if Stacy was just speaking her mind or if that was directed at her. I am not taking too long, he is a taken man with two kids! Ughhh!

"I need to go the restroom." She grumbled, fidgeting and grabbing her purse.

"Off to the loo then? Don't be a stranger." Cindy called from behind.

Pushing the door open, Viola paused and stared at what seemed like a redhead lost in thought. "You look like you could use a drink." She smirked, figuring out the truth behind the offer. Boy did she look like a mess, funny thing is the makeup and hairstyle and work outfit all looked neat and clean. But it was her eyes... lot of thought was running through those dark brown eyes.

She sighed, I think I'm overthinking again. Just get out there and be happy, stop thinking and clear your head. Do what makes you happy, and that's that. Look at her, does she strike you as the kind of girl to be enjoying a man's comfort? No? Well I guess you're full of surprises, aren't you?

Viola smiled, dragging a hand to caress her tied back pony tail. Gripping the tie, she yanked it lose allowing her red hair to fall out and be free. A little wag of her head to make it glow, and there you have it, fun. Digging into her purse, she pulled out her lipstick and drew a heart onto the mirror.

"Smile." She said, before exiting the room. Cindy spun around before welcoming her with a smile, with Stacy cheering her on.

"Heyyyy, letting the hair go huh? You look great!"

Viola blushed and took her seat. "Another Margarita for me." Much to her coworkers surprise.

"Yes, hell yes! Give us all one more, let's celebrate. It's monday, we're off early today, let's just lay back and have fun!"