Warmth spreads across my chest, knowing that Dr. Warrick did this for me tonight. “He really is.”
I sit on the soft sofa, the velvet rubbing against the back of my legs. My short plum-colored dress hikes up my thighs and I cross my legs, looking around the room to see who all is here, but everything is so dark.
Victoria pops the cork of the champagne, the bubbles spewing out of the bottle quick. We happily scream, hoping it doesn’t gainvelocity and soak us. Victoria catches it with a flute, giving me the first glass.
And then a second.
And possibly the third, fourth, and fifth.
I’m working on my sixth when I know I shouldn’t. I’m feeling great. There’s a slight tilt to my surroundings, and a buzz that’s a little too strong, warning me not to drink anymore. Victoria and Amber go dance and they try to drag me with them.
“I’ll be there in a minute!” I shout over the loud bass.
“Okay, see you soon! I’m going to get people to send more money!” Victoria giggles, grasping onto Amber; she’s clearly had too many drinks too.
I need a minute. My head is spinning and that little voice in the back of my head is telling me to text my ex to let him know he’s missing.
“No, I can’t do that,” I slur to myself while getting my phone out of my purse. “It’s a bad idea. Why is it a bad idea?” I ask myself, tapping my chin.
“Hi.”
I look up from the blurry phone screen to see a handsome man standing in front of me. He has shaggy light brown hair, brown eyes that remind me of a doe, and a sculpted jaw—the kind only models have.
“Hi,” I reply, my inside voice telling me not to act drunk.
“It’s your birthday.” He points at my sash as he takes a seat next to me. “Happy birthday.”
I flip my hair dramatically. “Thank you.”
“You’re here alone? On your birthday?”
I take a sip of champagne while shaking my head. “No, my friends are dancing. I’m going to join them in a minute. I just needed a few to myself.”
“Oh, I’m sorry I interrupted you. I saw a beautiful woman and wanted to introduce myself. I’m Gabe.” He holds out his hand for me to shake and the first thing I notice is how large his hands are.
I’m a sucker for large hands.
“Olivia.” I meet his hand with mine and he’s unexpectedly soft; his thumb brushes over my knuckles while he grins at me.
“It’s nice to meet you, Olivia. Can I get you a drink? Maybe a dance?”
“I’d love that.”
He somehow beams even brighter. “Yeah? Great. I’m going to order you a drink that I think you’ll like.”
He gestures for the waiter and orders something, and I scoot a little closer, glad for the distraction. Gabe sat down beside me at the perfect time. To think I was about to text my ex.
We eye one another and chat for a few moment, but the longer we flirt, the more I realize there are no sparks between us. He’s fun, probably a great distraction, but I feel…nothing.
I glance down at my phone before looking up again, shocked to see a woman tapping his shoulder, and she looks pissed.
This is way more entertaining than dancing.
I watch the scene unfold, topping off my champagne, and gasp when she slaps Gabe across the face. She runs out of the room crying and without looking back at me, he chases after her.
This is why I don’t know if relationships will ever be for me.
Don’t get me wrong—I want a big family one day. I want so many kids that I lose count. I was an only child growing up and I craved that best friend, begged my mom to have another child, but she never did. She didn’t want to, especially after my dad died.
