AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Uh, pleasure, I guess.”
Her beaming expression suggests that’s the answer she was hoping for. “Oh my God! Me too! My best friend is getting married next month. We’re having her bachelorette party this weekend.”
“That explains the sash.”
Marie glances down. “Oh! I totally forgot I was wearing this.”
I’m not sure how. It’sneon. Easier to spot than the reflective vests the workers down on the tarmac are sporting.
She leans closer to me, and I realized exactly why she forgot about the sash. Marie smells like wine. The sweet, fruity scent surrounds me, cloying the stagnant air. She’s drunk, and I’m stuck sitting next to her for the next five and a half hours.
“Whatpleasureare you planning in Vegas?” Her elbow lands on the armrest between as she blatantly glances at my crotch.
“I’m going for a bachelor party,” I admit, certain that’s a tidbit Marie will latch right on to.
She doesn’t disappoint. “Oh my God! Really? How perfect. Are the rest of the groomsmen on this plane?” Her gaze whips away from me, obviously hoping to spot them.
“No. I’m traveling alone.”
Marie’s undivided attention returns to me. “Do the rest of the groomsmen look likeyou?”
I’m tempted to laugh. She’s tipsy and overly talkative, but her blunt interest is entertaining.
“I’ve never met most of them. The groom is an old friend from college.”
“That sounds so fun!”
I manage a polite smile in response.So funis not how I would have characterized it.
“Have you been to Vegas before?” Marie asks.
“No. You?”
“Yep. Lots of times. It’s a really fun city.”
“That’s what people say.”
My phone vibrates with an incoming call from Alicia.
“Excuse me. I need to take this.”
Marie nods, leaning across the aisle to whisper something to her friends.
“Hello?” I answer.
Alicia’s exhale is loud. “Mr. Kensington, I’m so glad that I caught you. I just realized the Isaac Industries report that was printed isn’t the most up-to-date version. They sent new numbers late last night, and I didn’t realize—”
“It’s fine, Alicia. Thanks for letting me know.”
“I checked, and your hotel has a business center. I can call them and coordinate a way to get it printed. Or overnight a copy—”
“Alicia, really, it’s all right. It’s fine. I have other work I can do.”
“Okay.” Her exhale is hesitant.
Alicia is a perfectionist. She’s been my assistant ever since I finished business school and started at Kensington Consolidated full time. In that time, I could count the number of mistakes she’s made on one hand.
“I told you to leave the office.”
