Slow and steady wins the race.

You once again ask the table what everyone wants to drink, head to the bar, and return with drinks. You even bring one for the guy chatting up Meryl and Julie, because keeping them distracted is definitely part of the plan at this point. You notice that Viola has unbuttoned her collar, setting free a bit of cleavage. Kate stands up and moves around the table.

“I’m making a trip to the little girl’s room. No one. Go. Anywhere,” Kate says, before crookedly teetering towards the back of the bar.

Viola leans a forward across the table and smiles at you.

“I hope I’m not, err, ruining any designs you had for the evening, Mr. Robert Shaw. I came out to the bar… this evening... to see if Marshall had any potential as a paramour, but it would seem that he is actually rather a tremendous doooouuuuuche… hahaha.”

“Ms. Viola, I am only glad that I can provide you with a reasonable source of entertainment for the evening, in lieu of a proper suitor,” you said, returning her smile.

“Well, I’m glad too, but you’re a nice boy, and Kate is as sweet and cute a girl as there is, so if you would appreciate it if I would make a… graceful exit, I will not hold you against it… it against you, in the least,” Viola is staring at you pretty intensely as she says this, the smile fading slightly to indicate that she is serious about the offer.

“I do appreciate the offer Viola, but it is really not necessary. Honestly, I don’t get out much, and I’m having a great time. I don’t need to rush the night at all, and things will play out as they will anyway. Please, stick around and have a good time,” you say, sincerely.

Viola’s smile returned as you said that, and before she sat back in her she leaned all the way forward and planted a tiny peck of a kiss on your cheek.

Kate returned, and the three of you exploded back in to now thoroughly drunken conversation. However, whereas before Kate has been the one leaning in to Viola in a friendly way, Viola was now taking every opportunity to make incidental contact with Kate, brushing hands, bumping shoulders, and the rest.

You actually start to sober up a little bit as the adrenaline starts flow. You spend the rest of the evening just trying to calm yourself down. Then, apropos of nothing, everyone seems to sort of spontaneously decide that it’s time to get up and go. Meryl and “random dude” stand up at once, mumble some goodbyes and then stumble out the door together. Julie follows immediately afterwards, after thanking the table for a fun night. That leaves you, Kate and Viola sitting at the table, grinning at one another without much to say.

“Well, I guess it’s time we got going. Viola, Robert and I live in the same building. Maybe you’d like to walk back with us and just crash… uhmm… somewhere? I can’t bear the thought of you going home alone, and Robert and I would enjoy your company, right Robert,” Kate said, putting a hand on your shoulder and giving you a wink.

Viola doesn’t even say anything, she just takes your other arm and the three of you stumble out of the bar.