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Chapter 21
About an hour later (because Alicia had insisted that she get some grocery shopping done for the next week), Alicia and Will strolled into the bar that he had suggested, and Alicia was immediately satisfied by the place.
It was dimly lit, with candles on all the tables, and all the tables and chairs were a dark mahogany. To add to the aesthetic beauty of the place, there was a serious stock of spirits and other alcoholic beverages behind the bar. Lovely, Alicia thought to herself.
"Two scotches on ice, please," Will called to the bartender, motioning for Alicia to sit down on his right. As she put her purse on the edge of the chair and looked down the rest of the bar (and past Will), she suddenly didn't feel so lovely. She noticed another couple about halfway down the bar, and the man had just looked up and made eye contact with her. His eyes said, What on earth?, and the woman sitting to his right turned around and saw what he was observing.
By this point, Will had observed that Alicia was looking past him, and when he saw the other man and woman sitting at the bar, he did his best to stifle a laugh, but what came out was, "Well then."
Cary and Kalinda were sitting halfway down the bar. There were a few empty glasses on the table in front of them, indicating that they had already downed at least two drinks each. Alicia, not wanting to feel any more awkward, took a sip of scotch and strolled down to where Kalinda and Cary were sitting. "Evening," she said.
"Evening," Cary replied monotonously. Kalinda replied with her best attempt at a smile. Alicia smiled back, and as she heard Will walk up behind her, she asked, "Do you want to get a table for four and we can talk?"
Kalinda and Cary exchanged glances, and Will was surprised at Alicia's offer, but didn't have time to protest before Cary said, "Why not?"
"Great," Alicia replied, walking back to grab her purse and picking a table near the back of the restaurant. Will sat down next to her, Cary across from her, and Kalinda diagonally across from her. Will ordered a round of whisky for everyone, and after all four adults had downed their shots and slammed their glasses on the table, Cary was the first to speak.
"So…," he began slowly, "Did you two get a lecture from Diane too?"
Alicia and Will looked at each other and laughed in response. "Yeah," Will replied, "And Alicia ended up putting Diane in her place."
"So you two are back together now or something?" Kalinda asked, curious, because she knew how Alicia felt about Will.
"Yeah, you could say that. But you have to keep your lips sealed because if certain people find out-" Alicia began, and after Will interrupted, "AKA Peter," she finished, "Then we're screwed."
"Are you going to file for divorce?" Cary asked, attempting to be realistic.
Alicia took a deep breath and paused before replying, "I honestly don't know right now. That is something that I will deal with on another day. I've had enough action for one week."
"Do your kids know about us?" Will asked, looking at Alicia.
Alicia, pausing to think, said, "I don't know. But I'm sure they have their suspicions, so I guess I need to set the record straight eventually.
"Well, enough about us. How are you two doing?" Alicia asked, putting Cary and Kalinda on the spot.
"Uh…" Kalinda began, trailing off, looking to Cary for help.
"It's going good, thanks," Cary replied, "Although we certainly weren't expecting the Diane intervention. Thanks a lot for that, Alicia."
"I'm sorry! I told Will with good intentions. It's him you should be blaming for spilling the beans," Alicia replied as she watched Will turn a little angry.
"Yeah, thanks Will," Kalinda replied, flashing one of her fake smirks, "But…it was going to have to become public eventually, so, I guess that part's over for us." As one of the waiters passed by, Kalinda's hand shot up as she shouted, "Hey! Four brandys for the group please. On me." Alicia smiled and thanked Kalinda, and when their final drinks of the night arrived at the table, Will held his up and began a toast. "To new beginnings."
Everyone else smiled, and echoed, "To new beginnings."