Page 9 of One Last Wish

“Oh, fuck off! How I live my life is none of your concern, okay? I lead an uncomplicated life for a reason, and it’s none of your fucking business! If you carry on with this shit, I’ll move out!”

“Fucking do it! I don’t fucking need your money! Good luck finding somewhere as cheap!” Anger flared across her face. “I’m sorry for giving a shit! Don’t worry, lesson learned. I’m fucking done trying to be your friend! You can go to thatSecret Assassinmidnight launch alone next week. I’m fucking done!” Well, shit! I had really touched a nerve.

“Evelyn....”

“No, Alora. If you want to be a cold hearted bitch, fine! But I’m not letting you get to me anymore. I feel sorry for Theo! He really fucking likes you, the idiot!” Picking up her phone, I knew she was done. She wasn’t planning on talking to me anytime soon. At least I’d get some peace and quiet!

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THE REST OF THE WEEKwent quickly because of work. Richard was finally gone and Mary was still off sick, so I picked up most of the extra shifts. Malcolm told me that he had found Richard’s replacement, who would be starting next Wednesday. The fact he was male, gave me a small hope that it might have been the gorgeous guy that had been looking at the job advert outside. Could I be that lucky?

Evelyn snubbed me until Friday, when she found out that I was going out with the work lot on Saturday night. She never could resist a night out that included alcohol.

It was only with Theo, Ned, and Daisy, but I’d agreed thinking Evelyn wasn’t talking to me anymore. I rarely went out with work colleagues, with the exception of Theo, who would simply invite himself or turn up at the bar or club we were in. I had no doubt it was because Evelyn would message him.

Going clubbing meant an actual outfit choice. It felt nice to wear something different than my usual tight jeans and work polo. I only had around five clubbing outfits, but opted for my short, tight, silver sequin dress tonight. It had been almost twelve weeks since I’d gotten laid. I was on a mission tonight.

Putting my hair into a high ponytail, I checked my makeup before joining Evelyn in the living room. She was already downing shots of Vodka. She looked the total opposite of me in her black dress with long brown hair down in soft ringlets.

“Look at us. We are like good and evil,” she snorted, offering me a shot of vodka. “Friends?”

“We wereneverfriends,” I smirked, taking the shot. Evelyn knew that was the best apology she’d get from me.

Theo and the rest of them were waiting outside Studio 74 for Evelyn and me when we got there. Theo’s eyes almost fell out of his head when he took me in.

“H...Hi, Alora. Y...You look nice,” he stuttered, standing there in his blue checked shirt. He couldn’t look more like the boy next door if he tried.

“Theo,” Evelyn put her arms around his shoulders. “The words are, ‘You look sexy as hell, Alora!’or‘Damn, girl, you are mighty fine.’ Until you can master that, you don’t stand a chance.” Did she forget I was righthere?

“Oh...I...” The poor guy didn’t know where to look.

“Come on, let’s go in. I need a drink.” Daisy and Ned walked in first. Something told me there might be a little romance blooming between them.

The club wasn’t packed yet. It was easy to get to the bar and find a booth for us all to sit down in.

“Did Malcolm tell you about the new guy starting next week?” Daisy shouted over the table.

“No, not much,” I muttered, bored. I wanted to dance and find some hot guy to have sex with down the alley.

“I know his name. Malcolm left some of his details on his desk earlier.” Okay, now my interest peaked a little. I urged her to continue with my eyes. “Darce Undergrove. He’s twenty six and has only just moved to New York.” Darce? What...as inMr. Darcy?Damn it!He sounded like a librarian in love with all the classics! Don’t get me wrong, I loved a few of the classics—mostly Lorna Doone, The Great Gatsby and Wuthering Heights—but I had been hoping for someone that sounded a little more...interesting.

“How did you findallof that out?” Ned shook his head. “You had a real good look on Malcolm’s desk, didn’t you?”

“I was curious!” Daisy shrugged, giggling.

Darce Undergrove. Just saying his name made me picture a guy in a knitted cardigan. Twenty six wasn’t much older than me, though. I would be fine working with him as long as he didn’t develop a crush on me like Theo had, and more importantly, he stayed out of my way!

“You’ll be the one training him anyway, Alora,” Theo muttered. “Malcolm doesn't trust anyone else. You trained me so well, after all.”

“Tone it down, loverboy,” Evelyn snorted, giving me a nod to join her on the dance floor as she stood up. Theo stood to join us, but Evelyn pushed him back down with her hand. “No, this is agirls’dance. At least wait until she’sdrunk.Don’t you pay attention to anything I tell you?” Everyone around the table laughed as I led Evelyn away.

“You’ve got to stop making Theo think he stands a chance with me,” I shouted into her ear once we were on the dance floor.

“I can’t help it. His little face when he looks at you...he’s like a little lost puppy. Haven’t I saved you from him numerous times tonight, though?” She made a fair point. “Are you sure you don’t like him a teeny tiny bit? I think you might be destined for each other.”

“NO!” I laughed out loud. “He’s not mytype!”

“Oh, and what is?” I scanned around the club. It was hard to see too far with the smoke machine going off. There had to be at least one hot guy in here that was my type. “You see, you can’t find one. I swear you make up your bad boy type so you can push good guys like Theo away.”

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