Page 39 of Snowed In With The Second Chance Daddy

I wave a hand at him. I’m done with this bullshit. I need to talk to someone who doesn’t have any stake in Iris and me getting back together. Someone who doesn’t even know me. So, I prowl the party, making small talk here and there, unable to really sink into an actual conversation because each time I seem to be getting on with someone, Iris is a bit too close for comfort, walking my way or getting involved in a conversation nearby.

I’ve had too much champagne too. I’m not drunk, I just have a headache from too much sugar. So, I go over to the spread of food to try and load up on some carbs.

I load up a plate with mini quiches and crostini with caviar, hoping to settle the pounding in my head.

As I step away from the table, a server walks past me with a tray and a big smile. “Champagne?”

“No, no more champagne,” I give her a sheepish smile.

“Oh, come on, it’s Christmas.” She shimmies her shoulder with a glint in her eye.

The woman, she’s young. Has to be fresh out of college. Her smile is charming, thanks to the gap in her teeth. And her hair is cropped short in a black pixie cut.

“Well, when you get to be my age, it’s a hangover waiting to happen. I’ll be out until New Year’s if I’m not careful.”

She giggles and gives me a pat on the arm. “Oh, come on, you can’t be old enough to say ‘my age’.”

“You want to guess how old I am?”

“Twenty-five?”

I burst into laughter. “You’re being way too generous.”

“I’m not good at guessing ages. Besides, it’s really not polite…” She trails off, looking around the party.

I get the feeling she should be moving on, but she’s locked in a conversation with me.

Oh, shit, she’s flirting. She’s cute, sure, but too young for me.

I can’t deny it’s nice to be wanted, at least a little bit. “What’s your name?”

“Jamie.” She smiles.

“Trevor. Nice to meet you.”

“Very nice. Do you work at Hawthorn?”

“No, I’m a friend of the family.”

“What do you do?” Her interest piques in her voice.

Ah, she probably wants to know if I’m rich. “I’m a portfolio manager at a hedge fund.”

“Whoa. What’s that like?”

Smart girl. Take a job serving at a big company party, rub elbows with the guests, come out a trophy wife.

I didn’t want to end up with someone who wanted me for my money. Which is why I loved Iris so much. Loved her spirit, loved her passion for her work, her big dreams.

What a horrid person I am for turning away from her when she followed her dreams exactly the way I always told her I wanted her too.

Yes, she went about it in a way that hurt me more than I knew how to say.

But then I went back on everything I ever told her and cast her aside.

Maybe I am the monster here.

“It’s boring. You wouldn’t want to hear about it.”

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