AllFreeNovel
Share Us
ANNA
“I can’t believe it—you’re the perfect Belle.”
I took a sip of Chardonnay and looked around. The lobby of the McGregor office had been converted for the company’s annual Halloween party, which also doubled as a fundraiser for the foundation. For every dollar employees contributed, the McGregors paid another three. A few of their rich friends were in attendance, as well, to fatten up the pot.
“Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney movie.”
When I’d seen the blue and white dress and brown wig, I couldn’t resist buying it. It had reminded me of going to the library with Adam.
I probably shouldn’t have bought an outfit that would remind me of him, considering how awful the past two weeks had been. I was still emotionally raw from losing Java, and maybe that was why I’d been crying so much about losing Adam. It didn’t help that I had to work in his building, where I wondered each and every day if I’d see him. The worry had become like a knife in my chest. There was an abysmal hole there.
And then at night, I was at the center, where there were plenty more memories of him. Every time the kids at the center had asked about where he had been, I was forced to come up with lame excuses. He hadn’t even gone to see Abby at rehab.
Of course, I was leaving in two weeks, and I hadn’t told the kids. In a couple of weeks, maybe Adam would be the one making up the shitty excuses.
“Earth to Anna.” Kate waved a hand in front of my face.
I blinked a few times, adjusting to the flashing orange neon lights that bounced around the room. “Huh?”
“Sean just got here.”
Adam’s twin. “I thought you two only hooked up the one time.”
I’d learned a lot about Kate in the few weeks I’d been living with her. As much as she enjoyed hooking up with Sean—so she said—she didn’t want to get attached since she was going back to New York in December. Apparently, unlike me, she hadn’t been worried what people would think if they saw Sean and her together.
“I was kind of hoping for one more fun night with him, but it looks like he brought a date.”
“Aw.” I looked at the pretty blonde at his side who was dressed in an angel costume. “Sorry.”
Kate shrugged. “His loss.”
“True.” I smiled.
“Come on. I need a refill.” She grabbed my arm, almost knocking me off my heels as we made our way to the bar that had been set up at the back of the lobby along the wall.
Narisa and Rick were already there, tossing back shots.
“Care to join us?” Rick asked Kate and me.
“Another one?” Narisa groaned and touched her stomach. She was dressed in a vampire costume similar to Kate’s, and Rick was Dracula. Apparently, I had missed the memo that we were all supposed to be sporting fangs at this costume party.
“I’ll have one.” Although the last and only time I had done shots, I’d spent the following day hugging the porcelain crown.
Rick raised his glass a few moments later, and I joined in with the salute.
The liquid burned my throat, and I winced, not sure what I’d swallowed. It was strong and definitely did not blend well with the Chardonnay.
“You feel like dancing?” Kate asked Narisa and me, tilting her head slightly toward the space where a DJ had set up.
“No one else is dancing,” I hedged.
And we were at work.
“Come on, who cares? You’re leaving soon, anyway. Live a little!”
I wasn’t sure if Kate was making me feel better or worse about the situation. Maybe another shot would help me decide . . .
“Ladies, ladies.” Rick pulled at the red lapels of his costume and winked. “Let me show you how it’s done.”
