Page 20 of Company Ink

I don't even know why I'm itching to get home, it's not like Monique will be there. It's her birthday today, and we were supposed to go to Mamba for dancing and drinks but Matt, her boyfriend, planned a surprise dinner for her, which she didn't know about until this morning. Mamba will have to wait until tomorrow night.

I can't just sit at home like some shut-in, on a Friday night. There must be something exciting happening in the city. I text Kai and Axel to see if they want to go out. Kai replies first saying that they're having a date night. I message three other friends and they all have plans with their significant others. What is going on? Did cupid set up shop in Seattle? Am I the last single person in town?

I groan, flinging my head towards Kitty's desk. Maybe she's free. "Hey, Kit," I say, rolling my chair towards her. "You got plans tonight? Did you want to grab a drink?"

Kitty scrunches her dolled up face into a pout. "Awe, I would, but it's my parents' 30th anniversary dinner tonight."

I fake a smile. "Oh, that's fine." I throw an eraser at David. "How about you, Castleberg? Plans?"

David picks up the pink eraser that ricocheted off of his shoulder from the floor, and chucks it back at me, a little aggressively might I add. "I'm taking mygirlfriendto the opera tonight. We're seeingLa bohème."

"The opera?" I muse. "Aren't you a little young for that?"

"The arts know no age,Cassandra," David huffs.

"Alrighty then." I shoot Kitty an 'omg' side-eye. "You have fun withthat."

I pull out my phone and tap mindlessly through Instagram stories to pass the time. I roll my eyes when I pass a third video that starts with "Hi guys, I just wanted to pop on here real-quick." Where is the originality with these influencers? I go on an unfollowing spree. Instagram has become a giant commercial. If I see one more post about customizable shampoos or fit teas, I'm going to lose it.

"Cassie, what're you still doing here?"

I look up to find Adrian standing above me. "What?"

"It's 5:20," he informs me with a grin.

Oh shit. I check the time and he's correct. This is precisely why I don't have Tik Tok; I'd waste hours of my day scrolling.

"I must have lost track of time." I drape my cardigan over my shoulders and stand up. I glance up at Adrian and do a double take "Why do you look so happy right now?"

"I just got off the phone with Alfred Chan. He's decided to hire us as their attorneys," he beams.

"No way! That's fantastic!" I exclaim. "Was there ever any doubt?"

Adrian grins. "Expect the worst. Hope for the best."

"What a pessimistic motto," I laugh. "Well, congratulations anyhow. It's a big account. I'm sure Mr. Pearson is stoked. Are you going to celebrate your victory?"

"Yes, I was planning on getting myself a beer across the street."

"Alone?" I ask hesitantly. The energy between us the past two days has been weird. Not exactly awkward or cold, but just...odd. Even though his comment in the car irked me, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't drawn to him, curious about him.

"Yes," he states firmly.

"Hmm..." I meet his deceptively warm eyes and tilt my head. "Interesting."

Ask me out. Ask me out. Ask me out.

I'm willing it into existence.

"Did you—" Adrian begins slowly and I eagerly lean in closer, inadvertently nodding my head. "Want to—" I blink.Spit it out, Cavallero!"Join me?"

"Mmm...I don't know," I shrug, snapping my body upright. "I'm supposed to meet up with a couple of my friends soon." I fake check the time on my watch. As if I'm going to look like I don't have weekend plans. "But I guess I can spare a few minutes."

"Great." Adrian motions down the hallway. "After you."

Thankfully, the elevator is empty this time around so Adrian and I can stand at a proper distance apart, avoiding another unfortunate grazing incident. We cross the street to Havan, a relatively upscale bar and lounge.

We bypass the line that's already forming down the block, and sit down at the bar, in front of the floor to ceiling shelves stocked full of unopened bottles of alcohol. Scattered among the sleek, and glossy bottles, are black and white photographs of Golden Age Hollywood actors and musicians; dim recessed lights illuminate the seating area in soft yellow hues.

---