J was nursing his first whiskey of the evening at the bar when Lina, Mei, and Zara walked in, each a burst of color and life against the bar's subdued tones. J, captivated by their energy, caught himself staring as they approached the bar.
J leaned against the bar, watching as the bartender prepared another round of drinks. Turning towards the bartender asking for a second whiskey, then towards the women, he asked with a smile, "So, what brings you all out tonight?"
Lina twirled a strand of her curly hair and replied, "Just unwinding from the week. It's our ritual--girls' night out. What about you? You don't really strike me as the bar type on a Friday."
"I needed a change of scenery," J confessed, sipping his whiskey. "You know, a break from the usual."
Mei nodded, her eyes sympathetic. "I get that. Sometimes a little escape is all we need."
Zara raised her glass in a toast, "To unexpected escapes and new friends then!"
They clinked glasses, and as they sipped their drinks, the conversation flowed from favorite movies to personal adventures. J was particularly amused by Lina's tales of mishaps during her travels, while Mei's insights into different cultures fascinated him. Zara kept the mood light with her playful teasing, often directing her humor at J, who found himself more entertained than he'd been in weeks.
As the bar began to fill up, the noise level rose, but their bubble of camaraderie seemed untouched. Feeling a warmth spread through him, J found the courage to suggest, "How about we continue this conversation with a bit less noise? There's a late show starting across the street in half an hour. What do you say?"
Lina's eyes lit up. "I love it! What are we watching?"
"Something that's supposed to be a mix of romance and drama," J answered, unsure of the movie's details but suddenly eager to spend more time with them.
Mei smiled staring at J, "Sounds perfect. A little romance never hurt anyone."
Zara leaned in close touching his forearm, her breasts against his arm, her voice a sultry whisper, "And if the movie's boring, we can make our own entertainment."
Laughing, they agreed, and soon they were collecting their things to head over to the theater. The night air was refreshing after the warmth of the bar, and they walked closely together, their earlier flirtations now mixed with the excitement of the upcoming film.