Page 69 of Semantics

“A shower,” Violet said.

“What?” she asked, looking confused.

“I can take a shower. I’ll sober up faster that way. Maybe even while we’re in there. Come on.”

Violet took her hand and pulled her toward the bathroom.

“Violet!” Stella laughed.

“What? You wanted me in the shower the first time I was here.”

“Different circumstances. Do you need me in the shower with you to help you stand up?”

“No, I’m perfectly capable of standing while drunk.”

“Then, you should take a shower on your own.”

“You’re really trying to be noble right now, aren’t you?” Violet asked with squinted eyes.

“Yes, I am.” She chuckled. “And it’s really hard because you’re naked in my bathroom right now.”

“You can be naked with me, and we could just take a shower together. No funny business.”

“No sex?”

“No sex… until I’m sober.” Violet turned around and walked into the shower, where she turned on the faucet and promptly screamed. “Cold! It’s cold!”

Stella laughed and turned the faucet to hot while Violet stood out of the way of the water’s spray. Then, she removed her clothes quickly and smiled while doing so. This was definitely not how she expected to end the night, but it was fun all the same. She walked into the shower, and once the water was hot, she put Violet under it, too.

“There,” she said. “Just stand here.”

“I have to wash my face, Stella.”

“Uh… Okay.” Stella found her face wash and handed it to Violet. “Here.”

“Thank you.”

She watched Violet wash her face, holding on to her to keep her steady just in case, and after Violet was done, Stella helped her out of the shower. Violet more or less wobbled to the bed, wrapped in a towel, letting her wet hair drip over the floor, which only made Stella like her a little more, but Stella knew that the shower hadn’t worked. A sober Violet Russell wouldn’t have let her hair drip all over the place. A drunk one had no idea it had even happened.

“Can you get into bed? I’m going to grab you a water and some ibuprofen for the morning, just in case you need it. I’ll put it on the table. Where’s your purse and your phone?”

“On the floor.”

Violet pointed by the bedroom door.

“Got it.” Stella walked over, pulled the phone from the purse, returned to Violet’s side, and gave it to her. “Can you text your friends that you’re okay and staying here tonight?”

“They all know. I told them I was coming here when I texted you. And Enya and Sarai saw me leave with you.” Violet placed the phone on the table by the bed and added, “I think I’m still pretty drunk.”

“You are,” Stella said. “You don’t drink three martinis often, huh?”

Violet shook her head, and her hair sprayed the bed with water a bit, but Stella didn’t care.

“How about you towel-dry your hair a little so it’s not soaking wet and you get sick? Then, get under the covers. I’ll bring you that water, and we’ll get some sleep. It’s late anyway.”

“I didn’t bring my bag. And I need a toothbrush.”

“I have the ones I get from the dentist in the bathroom. Grab one of those.”