Page 133 of If Ever

“Seriously? I would love that.”

He pulls a card from his wallet. “Drop me an email and we’ll set something up.”

“Thank you!”

Greg disappears with Paige, and I search for Tom, dumbstruck at the opportunity that just fell in my lap. He’s across the room with a group of guys, but he’s watching me. I smile and make my way over. “Greg asked me to send him my resume. Can you believe it? A job surrounded by books?”

He grins. “That’s brilliant.”

I’m flying high the rest of the night. Finding a job in publishing hadn’t occurred to me, and even if nothing comes of it, I don’t care. It’s the boost I need. Tom introduces me to more people from the cast including his costars Max and Jordan, who seem like nice guys.

As the night goes on, the party gets louder and more crowded. I’m pulled into a conversation with some women from the cast about New Year’s resolutions. While they all have the lose weight goal, Tanya wants cheek implants, Paige aims to stop biting her fingernails, and a short brunette declares she plans to get laid more often, sending us all into peals of laughter.

Tom approaches with a chocolate truffle. He holds it out temptingly, I take a bite, closing my eyes at the delectable taste.

“I thought you’d like that.” His smoldering eyes reach my soul and I lick a smudge of chocolate from my lips. He rejoins Max and Jordan a few feet away.

Tanya stares at me and shakes her head. “I don’t get it. You and Tom make no sense. Why is he even with you?”

Paige and the other women gasp. I should ignore Tanya, but I’m in a great mood and a little drunk. “I know, right?” I say as if agreeing with her. “And I’m not even good in bed.”

Tanya’s mouth drops open. She’s dumbstruck, wondering if I’m serious. Tom chokes on his drink, while everyone else around us busts out laughing.

“You okay, baby?” I croon to Tom.

Tanya stalks off. I turn back to the girls and shrug.

“Was it something I said?”

Tom wipes his mouth and shakes his head, but his eyes are smiling.

“I like her,” Max says.

Greg stands on a chair to get everyone’s attention for the countdown to midnight while champagne is handed out.

Tom whispers in my ear. “You evil girl.”

“I’m sorry. But she’s been glaring at me all night like I’m the worst person you could be with.”

“It was perfect.” He hands me a flute of bubbly. “This is going to be the best year ever.”

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