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“I know, but it’s your favorite, and I know your week has been shit. It also meant you got here sooner for dinner. More time to chat.”
“Here, here,” Alexandra cheered with a raised glass.
I filled my wine more than halfway before joining the clinking cups in camaraderie.
“By the way, this is Brianna and Abby. They work at the office.”
I greeted the two women on either side of Carina. “Does that man also work at the office with you?”
“I wish,” the redhead, Brianna, gushed. “He’d be the perfect eye candy to make a day at work a dream.”
“And that soft British undertone?” Abby joined in. “Staff meeting attendance would be at an all-time high if he led them.”
All the women giggled, and I forced myself to join in. Usually, I loved gossiping about delicious men, but something bitter twisted in my chest at the thought of this woman throwing herself at him.
Internally rolling my eyes, I took a long swallow of my wine.
Jesus.This week must have been taking more of a toll on me than I thought if I’m having tinges of possession over a man I’ve said less than ten words to.
Get your shit together, Amara.
“Are you seeing anyone?” I asked.
“No,” they both answered.
“Well, then you should go after him. He’d be lucky to have a chance with either of you.”
“Or both of us,” Abby muttered, leaning into Carina.
The women laughed, and I think I may have heard a molar crack.
My inner voice couldn’t even find words to help me. Instead, all I heard was internal screaming.
All I could do was put this moment of insanity down to an utter lack of sleep, stupid men with inflated egos, and other people’s mistakes causing me to lose client opportunities and bonuses. Not that I cared about the bonus—I had plenty. I just liked winning. I liked the rush of success, and Ihated, loathed, despisedfailure—whether it was my fault or not.
What a stupid fucking week.
The two women stood up, pulling me from my inner turmoil. “Bathroom break,” Brianna explained while Abby held up her ringing phone.
“So, how are you and Ian?” Alexandra asked once the women left.
“Fantastic,” Carina answered with a dreamy sigh. “Sleep deprived and worn the fuck out, but happy.”
“Babies will do that to you,” I said. “Where are they, by the way? Audrey promised me a new hairstyle the last time I saw her.” I laughed, remembering the stern little girl studying my hair with her own brown ringlets in her eyes. She’d explained how she would work me up with a wave of her hand but that she didn’t have time then, and I’d have to come back.
She may look like Ian, but that girl was all Carina.
“With the in-laws. They’re giving us a night to sleep.”
“Ohhh. Sleep…” Alexandra hinted.
“No, seriously. Just sleep,” Carina said, laughing. “Besides, we’re attending the charity event this weekend at Voyeur.”
“I can’t wait,” I groaned. “Alex, you going?”
“I’m not sure. It depends on if Hanna is going. Erik isn’t going to take any chance of running into his sister at Voyeur.”
We paused, imagining the fiasco, before falling into laughter.
