Page 261 of The Spider Queen
“You look like you could use this,” I said, placing a shot glass in front of her. She finally peered at me. Her eyes were glassy like she was about to cry. No. Shehadbeen crying. Her blotchy skin and the bags under eyes attested to that fact.
“Are you hitting on me?” she blurted out.
I grinned. “No.”
She nodded thoughtfully but didn’t reach for her shot of tequila.
“It’s Patron,” I said. “Silver. I always drink Patron when I’ve had a shitty day. I thought maybe it would help.”
“Why?” I knew she was a New Yorker through and through. They were always hesitant when someone did something nice for them. Nice came with strings attached.
“A few years ago,” I began, “I was having the worst day of my life. Not even an exaggeration. A kind stranger bought me a shot of tequila and let me talk. Sometimes talking to strangers is the best remedy, you know? You’ll never see me again. What do you have to lose?”
“Are you sure you’re not hitting on me?”
“You’re not my type,” I assured her with a friendly smile.
She took the shot glass, looked at it for a moment, and then threw it back. She wheezed and pounded her chest.
I should’ve probably brought her a lime. But limes were for amateurs.
“Well, don’t stand there hovering,” she groused when she was finally able to speak again. At least the tequila was putting a little fire in her voice and flush in her cheeks.
I took a seat and easily shot the Patron.
“What did he do?” I asked.
Her head snapped up and her eyes narrowed. “He who?”
“He, the guy who hurt you.”
“How did you—”
“I was a psych major,” I lied. “I’m good at reading people.”
“I wish I was good at reading people. Then maybe this wouldn’t keep happening to me.”
“It’s not a crime to want to see the best in people.”
She shook her head. “I’m the casualty. Always. They treat me like I’m…disposable.”
I felt a pang in my chest. It was like my heart was cracking open, bleeding empathy. I caught my breath. A moment later, the lightheadedness passed.
I sensed a deep feeling of unworthiness.
“You let them,” I said softly.
“Let them what?”
“Let them treat you as though you’re disposable. You have to stop seeing yourself that way.”
She glared at me. “You think it’s that easy?”
“Who said anything about easy?”
Ryan arrived at the table with two more shots. I sent him a grateful look and then turned my attention back to the woman.
I pushed a shot in front of her.
