He took her hand, and she felt a flurry of anticipation as he tugged her past the line of people to the side of the building. They walked past a row of dumpsters, and she glanced over her shoulder at the crowded corner.

On the far side of the building, they came upon an open door with two men standing around smoking. Brandon nodded at both and walked straight between them, pulling Leigh behind him.

“What is this, a speakeasy?” she asked as he towed her through a crowded kitchen. The air was hot and humid, and dishes clanged.

They entered a dark corridor where Brandon passed a huge Black man wearing a Saints jersey and a do-rag. He and Brandon exchanged words, and the man pointed out something in the main room.

The man flattened himself against the wall, making room for Leigh to squeeze past his stomach.

“Y’all be good, now,” he told her.

She smiled, still clutching Brandon’s hand as he pulled her into a dim room with a long bar along one side and an exposed brick wall along the other. Every bar stool was occupied, and the high-top tables were full, too. Brandon paused a moment and dropped her hand. He scanned the area and then motioned with his head for her to follow him through a throng of people. Way at the back, he found an empty stool near a narrow ledge that ran the length of the wall. The shelf was just big enough to rest a drink on, and many people had.

He tugged the stool forward. “Sit.”

Leigh hitched herself onto the seat but kept her purse on her shoulder. “Do we order at the bar or—”

A server halted beside Brandon, propping her empty cocktail tray against her hip. “Hey.” She smiled from Brandon to Leigh. “What can I get ya?”

He nodded at Leigh. She started to order a beer, but then thought better of it.

“Vodka tonic with a twist, please.”

The server looked at Brandon.

“Shiner Bock.”

She smiled and whisked away, and Brandon leaned his head close to Leigh. “They just wrapped up a set,” he said over the din of voices.

She nodded. “I didn’t see a restroom when we came in. Do you know—”

“Left of the bar.”

She followed his gaze and spotted the sign.

“Be right back,” she said, slipping off the stool.

She felt Brandon’s gaze following her as she wove through the clusters of people and made her way to the bathroom. No line for once. Leigh closed herself in the tiny room and cast a look in the mirror.