Lotte and Lessi Russo

Chapter 7

Whether alcohol was the best plan, Lotte wasn't sure in first place, but after taking her teammates' orders, she had to admit that the plan seemed to be heading for failure. As she was about to make her way to the bar, she heard a familiar voice behind her, "Wait, I'll come with you. You can't handle all of that with just two hands." Lotte's heart sank. Damn it. Alessia followed her without being asked. On her high heels, she stood several inches taller than Lotte, and she couldn't help but admire Alessia's long and stunning legs even more intensely. The way she carried herself exuded confidence and grace, making it even harder for Lotte to resist her allure.

Lotte and Alessia arrived at the bar, and as Lotte cleared her throat to order the drinks, she couldn't help but feel nervous and unsure about being alone with Alessia. Should she engage in small talk with her or simply try to ignore her presence? She focused her gaze on the drinks being expertly mixed, attempting to block out the woman standing beside her. But it wasn't as easy as she had hoped.

"So, Lotte, I've been thinking... would you like to meet up sometime to talk?" Alessia's voice broke the silence, carrying a hint of uncertainty. Lotte felt a rush of conflicting emotions, unsure of how to respond. Alessia's words revealed her vulnerability and the depth of her feelings. "I don't want to pressure you, but you mean a lot to me. I want you to know that."

Lotte stood there, still grappling with her emotions regarding Alessia's proposition, as the bartender placed the drinks on the counter. "Here are your drinks," he said, setting them down in front of Lotte. "And what can I get for the lovely lady here?" His gaze then shifted to Alessia, his friendly expression bordering on something more. It was a bit too friendly for Lotte's liking. She couldn't help but feel a surge of jealousy coursing through her veins as she observed Alessia's reaction. Alessia turned her head, clearly taken aback by the bartender's attention, her mind seemingly elsewhere. "Uh, I'm taken care of, thank you," Alessia responded, her words reflecting her usual kindness. But as soon as she spoke, her gaze turned back to Lotte, her eyes nervously scanning Lotte's face for any sign of reaction.

But the bartender didn't give up. "Then you'll get a second one on the house, I'll make you one of my special drinks," the man smiled back, clearly not ready to let Alessia go without a comment. "Really, I insist," he emphasized again, flirtingly smiling at Alessia, causing Lotte to roll her eyes immediately. Alessia seemed stunned and didn't say anything more as the man started to mix her a drink. Suddenly, Lotte remembered all the similar scenes that had played out in college - Alessia was an attractive woman, and men liked to flirt with her. It was not uncommon for her to be approached like this. However, Lotte couldn't bear to witness it; she just couldn't. "I'll go over to the others," Lotte said, grabbing any drinks she could reach. Away from here, away from Alessia and her admirers. "Lotte," she heard Alessia's voice behind her. "Wait!" But Lotte didn't wait, why would she?

"Wow, Alessia sure has quite a fan club of men," Beth chuckled as Lotte returned to the table, stealing a quick glance in Alessia's direction. "It's surprising she hasn't managed to find herself a boyfriend," Leah added, joining in the laughter. Lotte let out an internal sigh, feeling tired of the ongoing conversations about Alessia. She resisted the temptation to look back at the bar, where Alessia was likely engaged in who knows what with the bartender.

As Alessia returned to the table shortly after with a tray of well-crafted cocktails and the remaining drinks, Leah couldn't help but tease her, "Where did you get that cocktail from?" The others joined in the laughter, enjoying the lighthearted moment. However, Alessia's discomfort was evident, her face repeatedly turning red. "Come on, guys, just drop it. I really have no interest," she pleaded, hoping they would let the subject go. Still, Lotte felt no sympathy for her as the others continued to push the issue. "Give him a chance, Less! You've been single for ages!" Beth chimed in, adding to the pressure. Though she could sense Alessia attempting to make eye contact, Lotte skillfully ignored her, taking a sip of her drink and hoping that the alcohol would alleviate the situation and numb her feelings. Such statements were all too familiar to Lotte, reminiscent of their college days. Memories from the past threatened to resurface, but this time, Lotte was determined to stay grounded in reality. She couldn't continue dwelling on the past and neglecting the present.