From their moment of entry, the music seemed to swim through Nikki's body; from the happy-go-lucky bob of her head to an instinctive and immutable sway of their hips.  It was enough that, as they reached the bar hand in hand, she was already sort of dancing into him, rocking playfully into his side only to give a gentle grind against his hip.  They squeezed into the bar together, and still her attention was split between Chris and the crowd.  This place was, after all,<em>excellent</em>people-watching, and Nikki had always enjoyed that.  No matter how distracted, she certainly noticed her husband's preoccupation with the cute bartender and the assets she flaunted.  Months ago, such a thing would've incited all kinds of insecurity in his wife.  Tonight?  She just laughed.<br/><br/><em>"I'll take a vodka cran,"</em>she called out above the pulsing sounds of the bar, taking a moment to meet the blonde's gaze.  She didn't at all strike Nikki as Chris's<em>type</em>, and the insight -- even if it was simply that he was drawn to cleavage -- was one for which she was grateful.  With an arm snugging up around her husband's back, front nuzzled into him, she allowed herself to once again look over the modest but packed crowd, meeting eyes with the occasional stranger and smiling back.  She'd felt eyes on her already, and it was oddly empowering.  Granted, she was plenty used to attracting male attention, but she rarely felt as though she was dressed to<em>ask</em>for it.<br/><br/>Tonight was a little different; even if she'd only dressed this way for Chris.<br/><br/><em>"Hopefully it hasn't been too bad,"</em>she mused, fluttering lids parting to turn attentive brown orbs down onto his.<em>"I tried to get some weed, but it turns out all the drug dealers I knew in college have either gone straight or gone to prison."</em>She just grinned, leaving it to him to decide whether or not she was joking.<br/><br/><em>"You're right you are,"</em>she prodded back at his remark about being lucky.  Hand clenched around his far shoulder, she gave a squeeze.<em>"Now, you better get whatever liquid courage you need, 'cause I'm dancin' soon."</em><br/><br/>As if on cue, the blonde interrupted them with a smile and two cocktails.  Nikki took hers, then offered it to her husband in a quick but intimate toast, leaning in close.<em>"Happy birthday, babe."</em>