I hadn’t beento one of these dinners in a while, but I’d forced myself to come tonight, even though Corrine couldn’t attend with me. She was the one who introduced me to the group, since she worked with Devi. I personally wouldn’t want to join a kinky group run by a coworker, but Corinne was a different person than I.
I said hello to a few people and got myself a plate of food, doing my best to keep it away from Boomer, who had to give me a thorough inspection as usual.
I felt several pairs of eyes on me and turned to find two people pretending they hadn’t been staring at me. One had darker blonde hair with highlights that was cut in heavy bangs across her forehead and fell to her chin that had a dimple in it. Gold-rimmed glasses perched on her upturned nose. Cute, but not really my type.
The other however…
Oh.Shit.
That was my neighbor. Didn’t know her name since I had never really spoken with her. I couldn’t believe I didn’t clock her immediately. I’d ridden the elevator with her just a day ago.Most of the time when I was walking around the complex or taking out the trash, I kept my headphones on and my eyes to myself. Not that I was anti-social, but I liked choosing my social situations.
She obviously recognized me and judging from the fact that her face was bright red, she was freaking out a little.
I mean, it wasn’tthatbig of a deal.
If this was a different kind of event, say, an orgy or a sex club, then itmightbe a little embarrassing. Maybe. But this was more like a book club.
Her friend said something in her ear, and she shook her head.
Deciding to just get this over with, I carried my plate over to them. Her eyes went wide as I approached them.
“Hey,” I said once I reached her. I hadn’t noticed that she was at least seven or eight inches shorter than me before. I liked that.
“H-hi,” she said. “Sorry, I don’t actually know your name.”
“Mal,” I said, pointing to my nametag. Most of the time I introduced myself as Mallory, but when I was with close friends, I was just Mal.
“Oh, sorry. Mal. And I’m Gray, in case you didn’t know that.” She was adorable and flustered and I was noticing. I was noticing quite a bit about her.
“Gray,” I said, just for the pleasure of seeing her cheeks go scarlet again. What a lovely name for her.
“Yup,” she said, her voice squeaking.
“I’m Tally,” her friend said, her voice cutting between us.
“Tally, nice to meet you,” I said, flicking my eyes over and nodding. I didn’t want to be rude, but I also didn’t care about Tally. I wanted to talk to Gray.
“Can I get you a drink?” I asked her. In addition to the food, Emily and Devi always had excellent drinks, both alcoholic and non.
“Oh, uh, sure?” She stared at her friend, her blue eyes wide. With her dark hair, they sparkled like cut sapphires. How the hell hadn’t I noticed how pretty she was before now? She’d been living next door to me looking like this?!
“Be right back.”
I filled a glass with one of the mocktails that Emily had whipped up, and also grabbed a glass of wine. I’d have whatever she didn’t want.
When I came back, Gray and her friend were furiously whispering to each other.
“I’m going to find the bathroom,” Tally said loudly, giving Gray a wink. “Be right backkkkk.” She sang the last part.
Gray watched her friend leave and then turned her panicked face on me.
I held up both glasses. “Wine? Or a mocktail? I can’t remember what’s in it, but Emily mixes the best drinks. Or I could get you something else.”
I’d get her whatever she wanted.
“Oh, wine is fine.” She reached for the glass and our fingers brushed for a few tiny moments, but those moments set my blood on fire.
“You sure?” I asked. I didn’t want her to take it just because I’d brought it to her. I wanted her to have what she wanted, not what she’d accept.
