AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She was keeping their talk toward business.
“Yes,” he said. “I like the way you think, judging from our last conversation.”
“Then you know how to reach me,” she said. “When you’re ready for the next step.”
“I do,” he said, looking around the room some more. She followed his gaze and saw Grant waving to him. “Guess it’s time I go mingle.”
“Me too,” she said. “I’ll probably leave soon. I was going to until you showed up.” She wasn’t sure why she admitted that much but felt since he gave a little she could do the same.
“Good to know. Have a nice holiday,” he said.
She moved away while he went toward Grant.
She didn’t even get one step before Diane Fierce appeared next to her as if she teleported from another part of the house.
“Chloe,” Diane said. “I’m so glad you could make it here today. I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to come talk to you, but I did see you talking to Grant and Garrett earlier.”
“No worries,” she said. “I know you’re busy being a host.” She leaned in closer. “We know the women are the ones that do all the work for these things.”
Diane put her hand on her arm. “Don’t you know it. Thankfully I’ve got Payton’s deli to supply a lot of it now and Carolyn and I don’t have to cook as much.”
“You love it though,” she said.
“I do. There is nothing better than welcoming people into your house and life. As you can tell more and more are invited every year.”
She followed Diane’s eyes to Royce talking to Grant. They were obviously all in on this though it was the first time that she’d talked to Diane about it.
“And I appreciate the invitation,” she said. “Oh, it looks as if someone is waving you over by the table.”
“Dang it,” Diane said. “I better go see what is missing that they need me for.”
She started to laugh as Diane moved away, but heard another voice say, “Don’t let them get into your head.”
She turned to see Jade Fierce James standing there. “I’m good at not letting anyone in there that doesn’t follow my rules.”
Jade grinned. “I like you. You’re playing with them, aren’t you?”
Chloe took a drink of her soda. “Not sure what you’re talking about.”
Jade held her glass up to her. “Good on you. It’s so much fun to watch from the sidelines now.”
“I’m sure it is now that the bright lights aren’t on you anymore.”
Jade laughed and moved away. She finished her soda and decided it was time to call it a night. No reason to stay and since Royce just got here, they’d notice she left right after and might be frustrated.
She turned and saw Royce standing there talking to Grant, then almost feel her eyes on him and glance away. She wanted to smile at him, but he turned quickly and left after she winked. He probably didn’t see it and she hoped no one else did either.
“Chloe,” Carolyn Fierce said when she was looking for her jacket. “I’m so glad you could come. You haven’t been here long though. Do you need to be somewhere?”
She tried not to laugh over the attempt to keep her now that Royce was here. She knew what was going on. It wasn’t only the men that were sly and sneaky.
“It’s been a long day,” she said. “I’ve got an early one tomorrow with family too. I had a great time though.”
“We do enjoy having these get-togethers and understand people have a lot going on and can stop in and mingle as long as they’d like.”
“I’ve been here over two hours. Longer than I thought I would but had a great time.”
“Then I’m glad,” Carolyn said. “Have a lovely Christmas tomorrow.”
