Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry, what were you saying?” I ask her, finally looking at her for the first time in minutes.
“I was asking if you wanted to grab a drink later.” She places a hand on my arm again as she asks. Do women always touch me when they flirt? I’ve honestly never noticed before. It’s only caught my attention recently because Sandra doesn’t touch me.
The party ends after midnight and there’s a fully stocked open bar, so I’ll take the invitation to grab a drink later for what it is—an offer to take her home. I decline in a way that won’t embarrass her then excuse myself and head to the bar. I need a drink and this champagne shit isn’t cutting it.
I’m waylaid before I make it ten feet. Too many people who want a minute, to introduce their dates, to wish me an early ‘Happy New Year.’ I remind myself that this party isn’t about me, it’s for the employees, a thank you for another great year. Sawyer’s been throwing this party for years. We started off with the traditional pre-Christmas parties and found them stuffy and time-consuming during a period where everyone is already stressed for time. We quickly transformed the annual holiday party into a New Year’s Eve blowout, encouraging employees to bring whoever they wanted and to have a good time at our expense. It’s good to be rich.
I finally make it to the bar on the far side of the room, the one set up outside the two event rooms that’ve been transformed into gaming spaces. Big-screen TVs hooked to all the latest in video entertainment, partygoers duking it out to a variety of games. Sandra went inside a few minutes ago, again with Chloe by her side. I consider following them in but decide against it, grabbing a drink instead. I’m not going to jockey for Sandra’s attention in the bedlam of the game room. I wonder if that note from the quarterly meeting was a joke of sorts? She’s a bundle of contradictions, I think as Hilary from the licensing department slides up, immediately touching me with one hand and the neckline of her dress with the other. I recognize it for what it is, a subtle invitation. When did I become so jaded?
Everly eyes me from twenty feet away, Sawyer’s arm wrapped around her. She eyes Hilary too, and I can see the annoyance on her face from here. I’m not sure what that’s about but I don’t have to wonder for long as they’re headed my way.
Sawyer introduces Everly to Hilary before asking me if I saw the last Flyers game. We’re deep into the raving over Schenn’s last faceoff when Everly interrupts.
“How long have you two known each other?” she asks, suspicion in her tone, glancing between me and Sawyer.
“Since Harvard,” I reply. “Roommates,” I add.
“Uh-huh,” she replies, eyes flicking to Sawyer for a brief moment before she smiles big and pulls a cell phone out from somewhere. “Oh!” she exclaims. “Oh, my!” Her eyes widen and her hand flies up to cover her mouth, which she’s dropped open in pretend shock. She cannot be serious.
I look at Sawyer to gauge his read on this little show; he looks amused but not surprised. I’m guessing theatrics are a regular part of time spent with Everly. She’s a hell of a lot more entertaining than his usual dates, I’ll give him that.
“Sandra isn’t feeling well,” she announces. “Headache,” she adds with a little shrug of her shoulders and a glance at her phone before turning her attention on me. “Gabe, could you drive her home?”
Well, I didn’t see that coming. A grin slips out before I can stop it; Sawyer’s eyes narrow on me, so I cover my mouth with my hand before moving it to rub at my temples in contemplation.
“Sure, sure,” I agree, trying not to smile again. What a little schemer Everly is, and well, okay, I officially like her. If I have to pick between Everly and Sawyer, I’m Team Everly.
I say goodnight and head into the game room to collect Sandra. It’s loud as fuck in here, and I have a brief thought that Sandra might have an actual headache until I spot her sitting on one of the sofas set around the room for the event. Her head is bowed, bottom lip between her teeth listening to something Chloe is telling her. If I had to hazard a guess I’d say she’s giving her a pep talk.
Again I find myself curious about this girl. I’ve had two offers for sex in less than an hour but Sandra has to be convinced to leave with me? I know those sex quiz answers were hers, but maybe she’s into a fantasy version of me and finds the reality lacking.