The party was held in a city pub. It wasn’t too far from the office building where Bailey worked so they’d arranged to meet there, rather than arriving together, meaning Tom was trying to tamp down the butterflies attempting to take flight in his stomach as he entered alone. He wasn’t overly nervous to be meeting Bailey’s colleagues, but there was something about meeting Ryan, Bailey’s best friend, that had Tom on edge. He wanted to make a good impression, for Ryan to think he was good enough for his friend.
The room was noisy and crowded but Tom quickly honed in on Bailey, and his nerves settled somewhat at the familiar face. He took a minute or two to enjoy watching Bailey from across the room. He was standing as part of a small group, his attention focused on a tall guy dressed in a suit. The guy was the only one dressed so formally and he wore the suit well, but Tom only spared him a passing glance before focusing on Bailey.
Jesus, Bailey is gorgeous.With his easy-going manner, and ready smile, he drew people to him like a magnet. It was no wonder the street kids liked and trusted him.
Bailey caught Tom’s eye through the crowd and his smile grew even wider, if that was possible. Tom answered with a grin of his own. He started across the room, nudging through groups of drinkers and side-stepping elbows.
“Hey, you made it,” Bailey said when Tom arrived at his side, giving his arm a gentle squeeze.
“Hi.”
“Let me do the introductions. Everyone, this is Tom. Tom this is Lina, Harpreet, and Monica.” The three girls bobbed their heads and gave unanimous greetings. “And Richard and Brett.”
Brett was obviously the tall one, and he only inclined his head slightly in Tom’s direction, lips pressed tightly together as he looked Tom up and down. Richard on the other hand, thrust out a hand and shook Tom’s vigorously. “Great to meet you, mate.”
“Nice to meet you too,” Tom said, returning Richard’s grin.
“And this is Ryan.”
Tom turned at Bailey’s words to find himself face-to-face with the cute blond guy who’d come with Bailey to the coffee shop a few times.
“Hi, Ryan. It’s nice to meet you. Outside of taking your coffee order that is.”
Ryan’s grip was firm as he shook hands. “It’s great to officially meet you too. I’ve heard a lot about you from this guy here—”
“Ryan.” The warning was clear in Bailey’s voice.
Ryan laughed. “I’m sure there’ll be time for a little chat later, Tom.”
“Sure thing. I’m sure there’s lots we can talk about.” Tom winked Bailey’s way.
Bailey groaned, throwing his hands up in resignation. “I’m not sure why I thought it was such a good idea to get you two together.”
“Because you have exceptional taste in friends, Bailey, and like to show them off.” Ryan’s laughter was rich. “Anyway, I’m off to the bar to get another round of beer, okay?”
Tom watched him walk away, wondering whether Ryan was referring to himself or meant that Bailey was proud to show Tom off. It wouldn’t have surprised him either way, although he sort of liked the idea of Bailey wanting to show him off.
The conversation turned to other topics, and, as to be expected at a work get-together, centred around Bailey’s workplace and the happenings at the office. Ryan returned with the drinks and the conversation divided into smaller groups. They all worked in the same part of the energy business, most of them on the phones. One of the girls worked in marketing, but the rest of them worked in the same department. Brett, like Ryan, managed a team of the customer service representatives, and looked most affronted when Tom had asked if he was a call centre agent.
Serves him right. Damn stick up his arse.
Brett’s lips briefly puckered as if he’d sucked on a lemon, before he schooled his expression and set about curtly correcting Tom, making sure Tom was fully aware of the amount of responsibility Brett held.
Tom suppressed a chuckle as he hid his mouth with his pint glass.Pompous dickhead.
“And what about you, Tom. What do you do for work?” asked a vivacious redhead—Monica, Tom thought her name was.
“I work in a coffee shop.” He could almost see the derision on Brett’s face. For a moment he was tempted to rattle off his qualificationsandmake sure that Brett knew heownedthe bloody coffee shop, but the feeling only lasted a moment. The guy wasn’t worth it, and what did it matter what Tom did for a living or what the dickhead thought of it anyway?
“Oh, that sounds fun,” Monica said.
“It can be but most of the time I’m run off my feet. Not that I’m complaining. It’s better than being quiet and having nothing to do all day. Then the day just drags.”
“Oh God, I know that feeling,” Monica said. “When the phones are quiet, the shift is so slow.”
“He works at Take Two,” Bailey said. “You know, the coffee shop a couple of blocks down?”
Monica appeared thoughtful for a moment. “The one with the lounges?”
