Though she would jokingly insist that the sentiment did not exist if he ever questioned her on it, Scott's presence was genuinely going to be missed once he dismissed himself, claiming that his team had just accepted a new role that he needed to immediately be back in California to work out the logistics for. When he had readily agreed with her on wanting to just ignore the situation and presently enjoy their lunch, Nicki couldn't help but ungracefully snort out a giggle at his accusation of Chris being a fuck-up. Under most circumstances, unless she was feeling that playful as well with the male in question, she didn't necessarily favor when people reiterated a fact about Christopher that wasn't necessarily fair nor true. However, given her current temperament and what could have escalated into an actual problem, she couldn't help but heartily agree with a much brighter smile than the ones she had been giving before. It was enough of a mood lift on Scott's part that she was capable of ignoring, for the moment, the sting that accompanied Chris' unnecessary egging in favor of acknowledging her little brother's arrival. "Ummm...I'm sorry, but I'm pretty sure this seat does not have your name on it and I'm enough Johnson for both of my babies, thank you very much," she replied cheekily.
She was still playing with her food as opposed to eating it, but she definitely noticed the shot glasses being filled and Andre making his way over, muttering something lowly to one of the staff. Not bothering to question it, and thinking it had something to do with Scott rushing off and going on about needing to pack, she forked enough of the salad on her fork that would disallow Andre to fix her with any kind of look, and then looked up at Chris. "Besides, Chris, I'm pretty sure the last person at this table who I'd consider to be competition is Earvin the third over here," she continued teasingly, casting a bright grin at her younger brother followed by a wink. Just about to put the forkful in her mouth, she just had to add, "You know I could go way harder than you if I wanted to, baby boy." Andre only had just tuned into the conversation, settling into his seat, but he definitely checked in early enough to hear that foolishness. Which was why he cast his sister a derisive glance. "A little early for you to be starting them lies, sis," he told her, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. By that time, feeling a bit lighter but definitely ready for a shot with or without the others, Nicki had already pushed the forkful of salad in her mouth and set the fork down on her plate to bat her lashes at him. "I've got no idea what you're talking about, Dre. I'm a smol chocolate cinnamon roll, just ask Kendall." Chuckling, Andre didn't even wait for the aforementioned female's response. He just rolled his eyes and stated, bluntly, "Bullshit." Nicki just laughed into the palm of her hand.
When Brody and Ariana finally settled with them, Andre almost waited to see if Nicki would react obviously. But she didn't, though he was pretty sure that had more to do with the wine settling in her system. It would've made him frown, but Brody had spoken up and that, in turn, made him grin. Gesturing to Nicki, he began "I mean, if you want to be like that heathen over there, then by all means." Nicki had half the mind to throw one of the napkins that had been brought out at him and he must have known where her thoughts went because Andre couldn't help but deliver a short laugh. "Jerk," was her stage-whisper. Still chuckling, Andre waited until the other shot glasses were filled before speaking again, and then lifted his own. "Anyways, since some people couldn't wait and others mentioned it, I guess I can do the cheesy and completely unnecessary toast. To a summer of finally getting to relax, enjoying our travels, the adventures we're bound to have, and most importantly, enjoying us." There was a small pause and then, bracing himself mentally, Andre knocked the alcohol back. He was pretty certain that there would be a lot less of them enjoying one another as time went on, the secret pessimist that he was, but he wasn't going to be the one to verbally curse them with the thought. A little superficial hope was necessary, even at this early stage of the game.