She could be very annoying sometimes. I blamed Drea. She was never this nosy before they got together. “Jesus Christ, Blair. What do you want me to say? That I had the most amazing sex of my life but I don’t know anything about her and it doesn’t even matter because I’ll never see her again?”
“Yes! That’s exactly what I want you to say! How did you meet? What’s her name? Did you exchange numbers or anything? Is she coming to the wedding? When can I meet her?”
“Oh my God, Blair. Take a breath once in a while, yeah? We met at the masquerade event, obviously.” I continued when she rolled her eyes and glared at me. I wasn’t getting out of this that easily.
“She was probably the fourth or fifth person I danced with and talked to. The whole event was actually really cool. Speed-dating is a terrible idea, I’ll admit, but the masquerade aspect made it more enjoyable. We talked about basic things and danced. We didn’t really talk a lot after that. We went to herroom, and she was gone when I woke up.” I shrugged, still confused as to why that bothered me so much.
“Well, I’m glad you got out there and had a good time. I know how skeptical you were to do it, but it seems like it paid off. Does this mean you’re back on the dating scene, because I still know some people?—”
“Dre. Don’t even start. I only did this because you two wouldn’t stop badgering me about trying something new. I tried something new, got some great sex out of it, and now it’s done. I’m still focusing on my career. If someone gets dropped into my lap, that’s great, but I’m done chasing.”
Drea shrugged. “Okay, okay, love. Sorry. I’ll drop it. But if you change your mind, you know where to find me. Come on, babe, let’s leave Cara to wash her sins off in peace. Lunch at Mytho’s?”
They stood up and Blair’s smile was soft. “Sounds perfect. Cara, I’ll call you later okay? Relax today. No work! I love you, babe.”
She came over and gave me a hug. “I love you too, doll. Both of you. Enjoy your date.”
I knew they would.Mytho’s Cafewas the place they had their first date, and they made it a point to go back once a week. They really were the cutest couple, next to Kaia and Daisy.
Kaia was now co-owner of the bookstore with Drea, and Daisy was her girlfriend. They used to be best friends—Kaia being secretly in love with Daisy for years—before they became roommates and so much more. They were both little balls of sunshine. Those two were like fairytale princesses who got together.
I said goodbye to my friends and walked them out, promising not to give up hope but having no intentions of trying. I was so tired of trying to find my happy ending.
When their car drove around the corner, I breathed a sigh of relief and closed the door, immediately stripping my dress off and going to jump in the shower before starting a load of laundry.
I didn’t need anyone. I had my friends and my work. I didn’t need someone in my space, moving things around in my house or getting upset that I couldn’t talk because I had work. I was in a committed relationship with my job, and I was perfectly happy with that.
Chapter Three
VERA
Two months later
“Finalmente!”
I’d been waiting to put the brake conversion kit I bought in this beat up old Charger for months, and it finally came in the mail. In a few more months, she’d be ready to take to the streets.
I’d bought it at a junk yard for practically nothing and had been working my ass off to get driveable. This cherry red 1972 Charger was my dream car and I was proud of myself for getting it where it was.
My parents had four boys and me, so I was raised as one of them. Put into sports, working with my hands, all of it. Even before then, I’d never been into dresses or Barbies. I’d prefer to take off a dress than put one on. Especially a red dress that covered mile long silky smooth legs. Shit.
Everything brought me right back to that night a few months ago. I’d promised my abuela I’d start getting out there more, so I signed up for a speed dating event. I dressed up, played the part, and met a bombshell of a woman I hadn’t been able to get out of my head since.
It was only one night, but I couldn’t forget about it. About her. She was tall, tan, blonde hair, blue eyes, sweet as pie voice and a killer body. Every part of her was perfect and I was more broken up than I should’ve been that she ghosted me the next day.
I had gone out to get us breakfast, and when I came back, she was gone. No trace of her was left. Well, no trace except lace.Thin black lace. A constant memory of that night. The night I’ll never forget, and never get again.
I tried to look her up once I got back home, but nothing. I didn’t know her last name, or where she worked, only that she was a publisher. That wasn’t really anything to go on, and I didn’t want to stalk her on the internet only to tell her she left her underwear at the hotel. Not a chance.
I shook away any lingering thoughts of that night and went inside. I was greeted by Nyx, my one-year-old black pug. My best fucking friend. I loved him like he was my own child. I didn’t have a car seat or anything crazy like that for him, but I did treat him like a spoiled baby.
Nyx followed me around as I was getting ready for work. I was heading a project for the city, and I liked to get there early to survey the area and set up a game plan for my team. We’d been working together for the past four years, but I still liked to be prepared.
It was hard, at first, being in charge of six men. Of course, they didn’t take me seriously, but after I let them know I didn’t tolerate their bullshit, they got in line pretty quick. Now, I trusted them with my life and they knew they could trust me with theirs.
“Okay, you be good. Mami’s gotta get to work. We’re starting a new project today and I’m the boss, so I can’t be late.” He barked as if he understood me. After a few more cuddles and kisses, I was out the door.
I’d wanted to become a construction worker since I was in junior high. My father worked in construction for most of his life, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. Of course, as a man, he fought that idea, but I was stubborn. I convinced my parents to enroll me in the electrical program at my local technical school and it took off from there.
