“Well, I have to do something to stay in the dating market.”
“Thank you, but I’m heading out now. Do you need anything from the store?”
“Some good-looking men, please.”
“I’ll let you know when I find one of those,” I laughed as I climbed down the stairs. She was so sweet.
I’d miss her when I moved.
4
Luke
“Hey, man, nobody forced you to raise the stakes,” I said as we walked into O’Riley’s for lunch. It was crowded, so no one seemed to notice our loud voices. I was still riding the high from the morning. Alex’s promotion had been officially announced, and I couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of pride and nostalgia. Like a proud dad watching his kid graduate, except the “kid” could probably drink me under the table and did just that last weekend. He’d come a long way, and he truly deserved it.
Also, my boss caught me after the meeting and offered me a raise—a good one, too. Apparently, closing TechDom, AlcTech, and LPH hadn’t gone unnoticed, along with the whispers about a job offer from the competition. I hadn’t decided whether I’d take it, but after seeing that number on the Post-it, I was more inclined to stay. Williams was tough but fair, and oddly enough, I owe a lot of who I’ve become in this job to the pressure he’d put me under. Let’s just say I was leaning toward loyalty.
The team, the new leads, the finally approved vacation—it all felt like I was heading in the right direction. Even my ego got a little boost thanks to HR Susan in that pencil skirt, and her colleagues pretending they weren’t checking me out. They were. They always were. It was a good day. No, scratch that—it was adamngreat day.
“What do you mean nobody forced me? You said you’d pay for my kids’ college if I did your ten-shot challenge and the “No Woman, No Cry” solo,” Alex shot back. “I barely survived, by the way.”
While waiting in line, a glimpse of Hazel’s blonde curls caught my attention as she was preparing drinks.
“I’m going to be honest, I was starting to get worried. You began strong. I only relaxed when you puked halfway through. He got it on camera,” I said, nodding at Logan, whose large frame filled half the space.
“Hey, man, not cool.”
“It’s fine, don’t worry,” Logan stepped in, “it’s only when you climb the corporate ladder and become the CEO that we’ll release it on YouTube.”
“Very funny. Don’t forget, I have some classified files on all of you, too,” Alex warned us with his weak threats.
“Are you talking about the time Logan passed out drunk in the pool on that inflatable flamingo ring with his bare ass facing the sun?” Ethan said way too loudly, emphasizingassandflamingo, making a few heads turn.
“Hey, at least it’s my ass in the video, not my face. You can’t prove it’s me.”
“Except for the pickle tattoo on the ass,” Alex pointed out.
“Damn, I always forget it’s there.”
We finally got to ordering. Hazel’s bright smile greeted us.
“Did I hear flamingo ring and pickle tattoo in one sentence just now?” she asked, her soft, pink lips twitching at the wordpickle.
“Yes, unfortunately, but nobody will believe you fools since I’ve carefully crafted myself into a well-respected lawyer,” Logan announced.
That’s true. Logan didn’t seem like the kind of guy with a horrendous tattoo on his ass, which was the only reminder of his wild partying days. Even so, how he got it was as unbelievable as it was hilarious.
“What can I get you, guys?” Hazel laughed. God, she was so cute when she laughed. She had this undeniable quality that could only be described as sunlight in human form.
“Three black coffees and a double espresso,” Ethan ordered.
“Extra shot?” Hazel asked, raising an eyebrow at me.
“Please.” I felt warmth spreading through me, but I quickly pushed it down. I didn’t know when it happened, but I started looking forward to these visits more than I cared to admit. The thing is, when she smiled, I felt the urge to stay. Not just in this city. Not just at this job. But right here, in her orbit, a little longer.
“Thanks for the croissants, by the way,” Alex said. “You literally saved my life.”
“No worries, and, Logan, about the pickle tattoo, you should be proud. That just makes you an interesting human being.”
