Imperfectly Real (A Series of Imperfections) Read Online Free PDF Page B

blast.” Trudy, the one and only sitter Emma used, scooped up Felix and walked toward Emily. “Come on, kiddies, let’s go read a story shall we?” I watched as Emily gripped Elizabeth’s leg tighter while the sitter tried to encourage her by offering her hand.
    “Go with Trudy, baby girl. Momma will see you soon, I promise.” Elizabeth knelt down and kissed her mini-Em on her forehead as Trudy picked her up with her free hand. Even though the kid wasn’t crying, Elizabeth continued to look guilty. I wondered if it was the first time she’d left her. I felt a slight pang of sympathy for her.
    “Okay,” she breathed, “let’s go before she starts crying.”
    We decided on walking the nine blocks to the new dance club, enjoying the crisp fall air. We laughed and talked just like old times, and I found myself reveling in the moment. Despite the familiarity, it was different walking those familiar streets now. But it truly was for the better.
    Watching Emma and Shane together and seeing their joy truly made me happy. It really was something seeing your two best friends in love. Emma laughed at something Rob said, and Shane proudly put his arm around her neck before kissing her forehead. They belonged together—there was no doubt about that. He loved her, and I loved them. And Felix. Damn I loved that little guy too.
    As the four of us joked and laughed, my eyes kept drifting back towards Elizabeth. She’d stayed at the back of our group, and occasionally forced some laughter in an attempt to fit in. I could tell she was uncomfortable and possibly still feeling slightly guilty, so I hung back, letting the other three take the lead, in order to join her.
    “How’re you liking the city?” I questioned.
    “I can see the allure,” she mumbled. “But I still don’t get how you guys know where you’re going. Every street looks the same, and I swear we just passed that same newsstand!”
    “You get used to it,” I laughed. “Ah, see, here we are.” I followed the others as they quickly turned towards the entrance of the club. Without really thinking, I grabbed her hand and led her up to the front of the red velvet ropes. The line was long, but I knew we wouldn’t have to wait. Once again, Emma had worked on the advertising campaign for this particular dance club so we were able to skip to the front. It was always good to have connections, and I swear Emma had worked for everyone in New York. Girl was good.
    We walked into the club and pushed our way through the throngs of people, straight to the bar. Rob, of course, took charge of the drink ordering and I suddenly realized that I still had hold of Elizabeth’s hand. I mumbled, “Sorry” before quickly dropping it. She smiled weakly and pushed up next to Emma who was already scoping out the dance floor, her head excitedly bopped to the beat. No matter where we went Emma just couldn’t help herself when it came to good music. She let the rhythm control her, and the girl could dance.
    Rob turned from the bar and motioned for us to push through to join him. “Jägerbombs!” he yelled over the music.
    “Doesn’t Jäger have human blood in it?” Elizabeth questioned innocently.
    The four of us shared an exasperated look as we tried to hold back our laughter. Was she really that naïve? Apparently so. I shook my head in complete and utter disbelief.
    “What?” she questioned. “I heard someone talk about it once in high school. They said something about it being blood …” Yep, she truly was that innocent. Poor thing had yet to taste the pure deliciousness of Jäger.
    “Liz,” Emma said calmly with a smile on her face, “do you honestly think that the federal government would allow people to drink human blood in their liquor?”
    Elizabeth paused for a moment. She bit her lip as she thought. I smiled at her naivety. It was endearing nonetheless. “Well when you say it like that …” she muttered, her face flushing with embarrassment.
    “It’s