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“Yes?” I turn around.
“I’m not sure what you’ve been told about the office holiday party…” He trails off. “But don’t let anyone convince you to do anything you don’t want to do.” He lowers his gaze and I almost feel like he’s…warning me?
My eyebrows pinch slowly and I cock my head to the side. “Is this you telling me to make good choices tonight?” The words fly out of my mouth before I can stop them and while I hadn’t meant for them to sound flirty, I hear the cheeky undertone and hope he just takes it as a joke.
I rarely see him smile and I know he has dimples, but now when he flashes a grin at me, I’m speechless at how gorgeous he looks. “Something like that.”
I swallow, trying not to let out the breath my lungs are dying for as the tension mounts between us. “Well, I got it, no need to worry. I’ll be good,” I promise.
He narrows his eyes. “I just know that you’re one of the youngest people here and also one of the newest so I wouldn’t want you to get caught up in anything. Every year, there’s always a group hauled into HR on Monday.”
I nod, not knowing what to say that wouldn’t be flirty or cheeky or sarcastic.“Okay, well, I’ll see you tonight then.”
“You’re not planning to drive, are you?” He asks and I briefly wonder if everyone is getting this inquisition.
I cock my head to the side, curiously. “I have to ask, are youthisinvested in all of your employees’…well-being?”
His eyes widen, like he’s surprised I questioned him versus answering him and he turns back to his computer. “It’s my company. Thereby, I do feel responsible in some ways for what happens there and once you all leave. While you’re all adults, there’s a number that don’t act like it after a few drinks.”
“I see, well I planned to Uber, so no worries,”I assure him.
“Good.” He doesn’t look at me as he picks up his phone and holds it to his ear. “You can go now.”
I don’t speak another word before I’m out the door, and finally, I can breathe.
Iturn in the mirror for the hundredth time before pulling off the green velvet dress that I planned to wear weeks ago that suddenly doesn’t feel right. I then try on the burgundy off-the-shoulder jumpsuitfor the second time,before I huff in frustration, realizing that I don’t want to wear pants. I whine and let out an aggravated sigh as I watch the time inch closer to six, when I still have to curl my hair.
“You good in there?” I hear from the other side of the door.
I pull on a robe and open the door to reveal my dad standing on the other side. “I don’t have anything to wear.”
He lowers his gaze and lifts an eyebrow at me. “What did I tell you about that phrase?”
“That you don’t want to hear it.” I imitate him. “But I don’t!” I turn towards my room and the tornado that hit it looking at the clothes strewn everywhere.
“Your closet is bigger than mine and packed to the brim, you have something to wear Raegan.”
“Not to my first office party! It’s not like I can wear any of my college party clothes. I’m already the youngest person there, I’m trying to look more mature.”
My dad sighs and shakes his head like he’s not prepared to listen to myI hate all my clothesspiel. “Alright, well. Good luck. What time should I expect you home?”
I scrunch my nose. “Do I suddenly have a curfew?”
“No, but excuse me for wanting to make sure you get home safe?” He crosses his arms over his chest. “Or are you staying at your friend’s house?”
“No. I’ll be home later, but I don’t know. They said the office party can get a little out of hand. So, it could be ten, could be four…”I shrug.
He chuckles and rolls his eyes. “Keep me posted please and behave yourself. You don’t want to get the reputation as someone who doesn’t know how to handle their alcohol and has to bewatchedat office parties. Every company has a couple.” I nod, remembering Mr. Beckham’s warning. At least this one is coming from someone I’m used to getting lectures from.
“I got it, Dad.”
“Alright.” He looks behind me and then at me. “Don’t you have a sparkly skirt?”
I raise my eyebrows at the swift change in conversation. “A sparkly skirt? You mean like sequins?”
“Sure.” He shrugs. “A lot of women wear those to holiday parties. Festive or whatever.”
I gasp. “Oh! I do have a sparkly skirt!” I say clapping my hands. “And I can wear it with this black top?” I tap my chin.
