Page 1 of Eternal Hoptimist

CHAPTER1

PARKER

Hector:There’s an after-party once this boring dinner wraps. You in?

Parker:Do I have a choice?

Hector:Nope, but I like to give you the illusion of one [angel emoji]

Parker:Might as well continue spending the rest of my New Year’s Eve with coworkers

Hector:Like you have other friends

Parker:[middle finger emoji]

Hector:Is that any way to talk to your assistant? Rude

* * *

I wason the fast track to becoming one of the top commercial real estate and land use attorneys in Portland with a reputation for getting shit done. Clients sought me out for some of the biggest development deals in the city. People admired and respected me.

All of that led to sitting alone at a bar in some trendy Portland club while mycoworkers, who I didn’t spend time with outside the office, debated the merits of dancing or shots. On New Year’s Eve. I had no better prospects than trying to impress my colleagues at the snooze-worthy dinner party the managing partner at our law firm, Sullivan Brothers, LLP, hosted earlier to celebrate a successful year. Why not join an unpaid work outing disguised as an after-party? Because no one had anything better to do on New Year’s Eve than hang out with their colleagues. I should save the sarcasm since most of my coworkers weren’t sad sacks like me with no social life. The only thing bringing us together was an employer with no boundaries.

“Let’s dance!” One of my coworkers yelled to no one in particular. A cluster of Sullivan Brothers employees followed, leaving me and my gin in peace. I convinced myself to stay for two drinks. Enough time to be part of it, but out early enough to get a good night’s sleep before New Year’s Day brunch with my family.

“Pouting is illegal on New Year’s Eve.” Hector, my assistant and close friend, squeezed in next to me at the crowded bar.Okay, so I had one real friend at work.

“Better call the cops then.”

“Or you could cheer up and find someone to put a smile on your face as you ring in the new year. There are plenty of someones here tonight who could do the job. Just sayin’.” He turned to face the hulk of a man on his other side. I could practically hear him drooling as he subtly tried to get the guy’s attention.

“Is that what you’re planning to do?”

He turned back to me and huffed. “Obviously, but I won’t leave a soldier behind. Anyone catch your eye?”

I glanced around the bar to pacify Hector, despite being uninterested in hooking up while out with my coworkers. Though, when would I meet someone with how much I worked? I was one of a handful of single people at the dinner earlier.

My eyes landed on a guy with a smile that could power the city. Even in the dim bar lighting, he caught my attention. His light-brown hair was styled back in a quiff. He was shorter than most people around him and wore a dark button-up with sleeves rolled to his elbows under a charcoal vest. Something about his energy drew me in as he animatedly spoke with two guys.God, that smile.

“Who ya looking at? Ooh, the buff, bearded, grumpy guy? Hot,” Hector purred.

“No, the smiley one.”

Hector blazed a triumphant smile. “Super cute. Ask him to dance.”

“I’m not going to ask him to dance.” What if he waswithone or more of the guys he was talking to? It was getting late, and I didn’t need to start anything.

You don’t want to be judged as the single person at work but won’t make an effort? That’ll work out well. Going to try some love spells instead?

“Fine, fine. Want another drink?” Hector asked.

“Still nursing this one. Thanks, though.”

When a tall, broad, tattooed bartender approached, Hector stood on the rungs of his stool and leaned across the bar to whisper in the guy’s ear. Classic Hector move. The bartender glanced at me before nodding at Hector.He probably offered to meet up with the guy later.

Hector settled back in his seat and finished his bright-pink cocktail. To be honest, I was grateful for Hector’s company, even if he scanned for his target instead of talking to me. Some might find it weird that my assistant was probably my best friend, but I had little time to make friends outside work. I’d lucked out in getting an assistant I clicked with.

“Maybe tonight will be your lucky night. You might find someone who catches your eye and doesn’t mind your work hours.”

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