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Even if the Christmas party was horrible, she didn’t have anything better to do or any place better to be. She hadn’t gone home for Christmas in years either. Her previous job was too hectic for her to do so. So, with the party, it might actually be the one time she actually got out and did something for Christmas.
Maybe it would help get her through it.
“I still don’t really have anything to wear. This thing is going to be fancy.”
Chantara shot her one of those mischievous, twinkling eyes, I have a solution for everything, kind of looks. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered.” She jumped off the bed with renewed enthusiasm, grabbed Callie by the elbow, and steered her straight for the tiny closet. “I bought a dress last week. I was going to wear it, but it’s actually a little tight. It will look perfect on you.”
Callie knew exactly what dress Chantara was talking about. It was short and black and flirty and far too sexy. A whole lot of not at all Christmas party appropriate. She barely managed to stifle a groan. She already knew they were going to be in trouble. A night out with Chantara usually only ended one way, office Christmas party or not.
CHAPTER 2
Matt
Matthew Hilbert was the first to admit he might enjoy the nightlife a little too much. Or had. Past tense. He was really trying to get his shit together. He didn’t like that he was starting to get a reputation. Truly. He took it to heart. He really did care about what people thought. He just- always seemed to find himself in the worst kind of situations. Which might have been because he chose to put himself in them in the first place.
He was cutting himself off. No more dates, no more parties, no more going out with friends when he knew where it would end up. He was thirty-three. He was starting to feel like he was way too old for that shit. And the drama. Lord, the drama. He knew it was bad when he had to get his PA to screen calls.
Beer with his long-time friend didn’t exactly count. They hadn’t even gone out. He’d gone to Jason’s pad to break the news.
“So, you’re really getting serious then?” Jason cracked the top off a beer and passed the chilled bottle over. Beads of condensation dripped on the kitchen floor.
“Yeah. No. I don’t know. Not about anyone. I’m just over it. I had to ask my secretary to start screening my calls and emails. It was humiliating.”
“That’s because you attract the wrong kind of people.”
“It’s not like I try.”
“Look at you, man.” Jason chugged back half his bottle and set it down on the counter. The kitchen wasn’t clean by any means, but he didn’t move to tackle the dishes in the sink. They would probably be there for another week before the guy did anything about them. The countertop wasn’t much better. It was scattered with old food wrappers and half-empty bread bag left open, the bread dotted with blue on top. Dirty dishes lined that surface too. “You’re too well dressed. That’s your problem. People know how to spot it.”
“That is not the issue.”
“Then grow your beard and hair out. Women hate beards. Gain some weight. Stop going to the gym. Wear dirty clothes. That’s a turnoff. And stop driving an expensive car. It’s a dead giveaway that you have money.”
“Stop.”
“Well, seriously. If you wear and have nice things, people are going to home in on that right away. You seem to be attracted to- uh- not the right sort of person either. I know you’re tired of the endless phone calls from people who said they wanted one-night stands. I know that you’re sick of being hosed for money and taken advantage of, but you bring it on yourself. You attract that by not going for the right type of person. Women who look like the ones you usually date- they generally just want one thing. To be taken care of. Even if they’re nice, you wonder why even after you break up with them, you still get calls for six months about money. That would be why.”
“I was just trying to help…”
“And I’m just saying. You’re too nice. People sense that. They take advantage of it. You have to stop meeting people in clubs and online. That is never going to work out.”
“Where else do you meet anyone?”
“I don’t honestly know.” Jason was avowedly single. He stayed away from drama. Even if they went to the same places, he never had the luck that Matt did.
“I’m just exhausted. I’m tired of thinking I found someone who actually wants to be with me because they want to share their life with someone, or whatever that even means, and I just get- people who steal credit cards. Girls who ask me for things constantly and if I say no, they leave. People who call and call and call with all those sob stories and when I help out, I find out it’s all lies.”
