AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Callan looks out the window to his side. I can tell he’s thinking carefully about what to say. This is inappropriate, right? I mean, he’s my boss and he’s buying me gifts? Then again, we just shared like five drinks at a business lunch, which could also be deemed inappropriate.
Callan reaches over to my seat belt and unbuckles it. In one swift movement, he slides the box to the floor, scooches himself to the middle seat, lifts me with ease and slides me over his lap to sit where he was sitting before. He reaches over me to roll down the window and whispers, “Look,” into my ear.
My heart is racing, my eyes feel heavy and the wind coming in from the window adds to the buzz. Pleasure forms like tiny tingly needles in between my thighs.
After exhaling the adrenaline Callan’s voice sent through my body, I take in the surroundings. I’m facing the mountains where the sun delicately sets behind them. The snow-capped peaks look gorgeous against the warm, water-colored sky. I’ve seen these mountains my whole life, but something about the whiskey in my system paired with Callan’s oaky cologne as the wind blows through my hair, makes it ten times more breathtaking.
“Beautiful, huh?” Callan whispers into my ear from behind me as he leans in closer. I shudder as his hot breath hits the back of my neck.
“The truth is, I fantasized about you on my trip away. I didn’t mean to, but I did. After the last meeting, I went out and I saw this dress. I couldn’t help but imagine how ravishing you’d look in it. It’s what I want to see you wearing when I show up with you on my arm at the most important event of the year. Is that alright with you?” Callan’s fingers trail up my arm as he talks into my ear. His touch feels like a thousand lightning bolts as he smooths his calloused hand from my wrist to my shoulder.Oh my God, take me now.
“We’re here.” Gerald’s mellow voice makes me jump as he pulls into my apartment parking lot. I almost forgot he was here with us the whole time.
Callan shifts over to the other side of the car and lets out a quiet laugh, mixed with something like an annoyed groan. I can’t even look at him, I’m so dizzy. Before Gerald has a chance to open my door for me, I quickly grab my things and jump out of the car while it’s practically still in motion.
“Thanks for the ride, Gerald, see ya!” I wave over my shoulder as I speed walk to my apartment building, trying to act normal while completely weak in the knees.Holy shit.
My Uber driver pulls up to Asher’s townhouse. It’s a nice place, not too big, but it’s bigger than anything I’ve ever lived in. I can see why Dakota has been spending most of her time here instead of in our crammed apartment.
My hair is curled in loose dirty-blonde beach waves that go down to my breasts. I didn’t have time to do a ton of makeup since my shower took nearly an hour; I was trying to sober up and get Callan out of my head. Every drop of water that hit my skin reminded me of the way his fingers felt, trailing down my arm. And all I could think about was all the other places I’d rather have his fingers.
While I was getting dressed, the white box Callan gave me sat on my bed, haunting me the entire time. I know I’m going to give it back to him now that I’m sobered up. I can’t accept it. And honestly, I’m not entirely sure I even remember what happened in that car correctly, and I don’t want to give off the wrong signal.
I step out of the car and pull down on my black body-con dress. I layered it with a black leather jacket and combat boots. I nervously smooth my hair, as I approach the front door. Punk rock music is blaring inside, and I notice the door is unlocked, so I let myself in.
Everyone is dressed in all black, Dakota’s request. She wanted dark, gothic vibes. She said twenty-three gave her that kind of feeling. I eye the room trying to recognize someone, but everyone here is a stranger to me. These are all Dakota’s friends. That’s the biggest difference between the two of us, she’s popular. I’m not.
“Sterling!” Dakota throws her hands in the air and pushes through the circle of people in front of her to get to me. She pulls me in for a hug. She’s wearing a mesh dress that’s completely sheer. She’s got on a black bra and panty set underneath and chunky-heeled boots that go up mid-calf. Her strawberry blonde hair is curled into little ringlets. Her makeup is dark, and she smells like flowers. She looks like the life of the party, and I would expect nothing less from her, even if this wasn’t her party.
“So glad you made it!” She snorts out a laugh as she reaches over to the counter and grabs two shots. She hands me one and takes the other. “Cheers to twenty-three!” She says as she raises her glass towards mine, inviting me to join her in celebration.
I feel like I could puke just looking at the shot, seeing as I just sobered up from my boozy lunch with Callan. But I pull the glass to my lips anyway because it is my best friend’s birthday. I have a feeling I might regret this later.
I clink with Dakota and throw the liquid down my throat. It goes down smooth, fiery as hell, but I like it.
Dakota introduces me to a few of Asher’s work buddies who insist on taking a shot with the birthday girl. Of course, she insists I take a shot with them too. Followed by another. After only fifteen minutes and three shots, I’m feeling full of life and dizzy all over again. The kitchen starts to crowd with more people, and I find myself having the liquid courage to strike up a conversation with just about anyone in the room. Dakota’s tipsy friend, Haylie, shows me a picture of her puppy.
“Isn’t he so cute?” she half screams in my ear trying to be louder than the music. “His name is Marlin and ohmygosh I love him so much. Oh, and here’s my other pup, Charlie!” She giggles as she tries to zoom in. “Charlie Brown and Marlin Brown! Ahh, I love them!” Her curly brunette hair falls in her face as she drunkenly swipes through her camera roll, suddenly embarrassed when she crosses over an image that was probably meant for her boyfriend’s eyes only. “Whoopsie.” She pulls the phone to her chest and laughs. Our conversation is cut off when the music abruptly stops, causing everyone to look around in confusion.
The attention is drawn in the direction of Asher who is holding his red plastic cup in the air, like he needs to make an announcement.
“Everyone, I have something I’d like to say,” he shouts as he makes his way over to Dakota. Everyone quiets down as they focus in.
“Thank you all for coming to celebrate my boo’s birthday. It means a lot to the both of us.” He pulls Dakota into him as she lights up with a smile that takes up her whole face. “As you all know, we met about four years ago when she moved to Colorado, but immediately I knew she was my girl.” Everyone is staring at Dakota; Dakota is staring at Asher.
“But if anyone knows Dakota, they know how stubborn she can be. Which is why it took her this long to accept my offer to move in with me.” Asher keeps going, Dakota looks like she’s going to cry, and so do I because I had no idea he asked her to move in. Sothat’swhy she’s been spending most of her time here.Why didn’t she just tell me?
Dakota is forced away from Asher when he reaches into his pocket for something. She looks at him in confusion and suddenly, he’s down on one knee and there’s a small black box in his hands. The whole room gasps, and I’m not sure what I’m seeing.Is he-? Is that-?How many shots did I really have because…is he proposing?
“I knew you were my boo the day that I met you. You’re the one I want to love forever. And I know you’ve been waiting for me to ask you this for a while, so I’m finally getting around to it.” He winks to the crowd, some of his frat-bro-friends laughing at his attempt at a joke, but all I can do is roll my eyes. “Dakota Jade Young. Will you marry me?” The question fills the room, it’s loud and prominent. Dakota is in shock, her eyes filling with tears. Everyone stares at her with anticipation. She tries to gain her breath and I can tell she’s struggling to find words.
Dakota looks straight toward me, and I know she’s waiting for the best friend approval. It makes me nervous; it seems too quick to be getting married. Hell, I just found out they’re moving in together like ten seconds ago. And I’m drunk off my ass so I can’t consciously give her the approval she needs right now. But I know she loves him, and he loves her even though I do have mixed feelings about him sometimes. So, I nod a smile. She turns to Asher and throws herself into him, sealing the deal with a kiss.
He shuffles uncomfortably as he embraces her, waiting for an answer.
“Is that a yes?” he asks.
Dakota looks around the room, with a big smile on her face, but I can see the nervous energy behind her eyes. “Yes, I will. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!” She jumps into Asher’s arms as he lifts himself up from bended knee to catch her.
