“Of course, I do. You made that night tolerable, the only bright spot from what I remember.”
She quirks her head, her high ponytail falling to one side. “Wasn’t that the party where the Lafoons announced they were expanding their overseas offices?”
To her, it’s a good thing to be close to their power. They used it for something beneficial for the company, so I understand her excitement.
For me, I just want out of their world, no matter the circumstance. “Thatwasgood news,” I say, needing to guard my true feelings, especially at his company party.
Her smile reappears as if she didn’t clock the negative blip in my reaction. “How are you so gorgeous? Gregory is a very lucky man.”
I’m the worst at taking compliments, but I kind of hope my looks are the least interesting thing about me. “I should hang around you more often,” I reply with a laugh. Swinging it back to her, I say, “Look at you. I love this dress. It was made for you.”
“Thank you.” She peers down at the dress, and her smile is more contagious than ever. I hate the jealousy that swarms under my skin. I used to be like that. Living life like there were endless possibilities. I’d love to know her secrets to finding this kind of happiness, but I have a feeling that not being threatened by her parents might be adding to her glow.
Gregory appears from the revelers with our drinks in hand. He hands me the martini glass, then says, “I’ll be right back. I need to make announcements.” He gives me another wink, which seems like overkill at this point. Is that a new habit he picked up from the office, or is the alcohol from dinner kicking in?
Jerilyn nudges me, whispering, “No offense, but I thought you two were just friends the first time I saw you together.” The “no offense” already raised my hackles, but maybe I’m not such a great actress after all. “Were you friends before you got together, or was it love at first sight?” The question lingers with the lilt at the end, begging me to confess to the truth that neither applies to him. But that’s not something I can do.
I should hate how often Keats comes to mind, but I always welcome the memories and the warmth that wraps around me like he once did. If love at first sight exists, that is what we were.
Despite how she makes me feel like a close confidant, she works for him, and I need to remember that. A thrill runs through her expression just before she adds, “I’m so happy for you. You make a beautiful couple.”
I’m starting to believe that’s all we are.Attractive.Everything seems to come back to that. There’s no mention of our chemistry. We look good together on paper and in real life. But that’s where it begins and ends for Gregory and me. “Thank?—”
“Hello! Hello,” Gregory says with a microphone in his hands. “Thank you for coming tonight when you could be heavily drinking with your families instead.” That earns him a round of laughter from the drinking crowd.
A few glasses are raised in the air, and someone shouts, “Thanks for the drinks, boss.”
I keep wanting to brush Gregory with the same stroke as my father, but he’s not him. He never has been, so it’s not fair to hold him to that standard of evil. It hadn’t even occurred to me how he’ll react when he finds out I’ve left. His feelings were never a concern of mine. Should they have been? Did I lead him on in some way that he would think that I would fall in love with him?
When his eyes connect with mine, I smile and lift my glass enough for him to see the praise, but I’m conflicted. Sparing myself from further pain means inflicting it on him. Pain seems heavy-handed. Will he really be that heartbroken when I’m gone?
Jerilyn’s eyes are fixed on him, along with the smile on her face. She’d be a great match for him.
His laughter through the speakers pulls my gaze back to him, and my mind from matchmaking. He says, “Thank you for being here tonight.”
A bartender leans over and says, “Keep the path clear for the upstairs party.”
“Yes, it seems a publisher is upstairs celebrating, but down here everything is on the house for Lafoonery to begin.” I hold my expression, but inside, I’m cringing from that bad joke. Seems this is his audience, though, because they laugh. “Anyway,” he says, “I have some big announcements. The first is what I know most of you are here about. The bonuses.”
I sip my martini while tuning him out to tick through a few more items I need to remember—money. I’ll need money and fast before my father cuts my cards off and freezes my accounts. My passport. I could go to Paris, or somewhere exotic, and disappear for a while. London isn’t exotic, but it’s always a good time, and it’s a bonus that I speak the language. Other than the basics, what else do I take with me if I never have the chance to reclaim anything ever again?
My photo album and my laptop. I lose all my work if I forget to take those with me.
The roar of applause wakes me from my thoughts, landing me smack dab in the middle of a celebration. Jerilyn leans over and says, “Incredible, right?”
I glance at Gregory, hoping to find a clue to how much the bonuses were so I don’t get busted for letting my mind drift away. “It was a good year.”
“Sure was.” She’s still clapping when Gregory clears his throat.
“I know the bonuses are the stars tonight, but for me”—he places his hand over his heart—“I want to share something personal that would make my year.” His blue eyes land on me, and he grins like the cat’s out of the bag. Though I’m lost to what cat and what was in the bag to get it in there in the first place. “I’d like to invite my girlfriend to join me. Everyone, welcome Sosie Stansbury.”
Mortification sets in as every pair of eyes in the room is redirected at me. Jerilyn gives me a little shove from behind and encourages, “Go on, Sosie.”
My feet don’t take the command willingly, so I force the first step and then the next until people are parting ways like the Red Sea for me to reach him. “What are you doing?” I whisper. “You know I hate attention.”
His smile should be reassuring, but the embarrassment is too much for it to compensate. My face feels hot, and I’m beginning to sweat.
Running his hand over my shoulder, he’s still holding the microphone in the other when he says, “We’ve been friends since we were kids. I crushed so hard on you when we were in high school.” I start to blink, my breath coming too fast, my heart ready to escape and take cover somewhere else. I shake my head just enough for him to see and hoping no one else does. But he keeps going. “During the past few years, I’ve fallen in love with you, honey.”Honey?Oh my God, what is he—“I want to marry you, Sosie. Will you be my wife?”
