Page 12 of Miss Understood

“You’re awfully cheery today, love.” Mateo pauses and looks me up and down. “Did you get laid last night? You’ve def got just-got-laid vibes or something.”

“Is this appropriate work conversation?” Jesse grimaces at him, but Mateo doesn’t flinch. Jesse’s mood swings are nothing new, and Mateo navigates them like a pro.

“Appropriate work conversation.” I laugh under my breath. “This coming from the guy whose ex showed up to the office in a trench coat and flashed her naked leg in front of half the accounting department.”

“I heard it was more than that.” Mateo winks and swishes side to side. “Coat waved a little as she moved.”

“Yeah, we get it.” Jesse holds up his hand, but he fights back a smile when he sees Mateo doing a hula hoop motion with his hips.

“Oh, Lucey, if you don’t have any specific plans this afternoon, you should join us. Nate and I are headed to the grunge bar downstairs, Pearsons or something or other, to catch some live music. How about it?” He shoots a sweet smile to lure me.

“Maybe,” I say.

My plan was to do a little shopping and maybe take a nap. As much as I’d like to enjoy all Vegas has to offer, it feels like I’ve been working non-stop lately and I’m exhausted. It doesn’t help that we flew into town at six this morning and barely had time to drop off our bags before our ten-thirty meeting. I haven’t had breakfast, much less lunch.

“You’re coming too, right?” Mateo turns to Jesse then looks back at me. “Nate and I have a bet going on Jesse’s date. If she’s a blonde, I get a hundred bucks; if she’s a brunette, he does. Nate doesn’t realize this dude only dates blondes though, so I’m about to be a hundred bucks richer.”

“I don’t,” Jesse argues.

“You do though!” I laugh.

There are guys who have a type, and then there’s Jesse, the most particular of them all. He likes them tall. He likes them blonde. And he likes them in his bed with no strings attached.

“How do you even have a date already?” I ask him, noticing the stress from the meeting is finally melting off him. “We landed less than five hours ago. This isn’t some kind ofPretty Womantype thing, is it?”

“Fuck no.” Jesse shakes his head, his serious expression finally shifting into a mischievous grin. “Jessica’s a friend from way back. We’re just catching up.”

“Friend. I’m sure,” I say. Mateo and I share a look, not believing that for a second.

“I have a question though,” I say to Mateo. “On some off chance Jesse decides to blow all our minds tonight and not be one hundred percent predictable, what if hisfriendJessica is a redhead?”

Mateo holds a finger to his lips, ignoring Jesse’s obvious eye roll as he continues packing up his things. “Doubtful, but show up, and if she’s a redhead, we’ll each owe you a hundred bucks.”

“Deal,” I say, smiling, appreciating how it seems to irritate Jesse further. If I’m going to have to spend the next six weeks working this closely with him anyway, might as well have a little fun with it.

“Two o’clock,” Mateo calls as he follows Jesse out of the room. “Nate and I are grabbing lunch and then it’s time to party.”

“I’ll be there.” I wink and finish grabbing my things.

Maybe Vegas won’t be so bad after all. Music, a couple drinks, a few jokes at Jesse’s expense.

This trip is looking up.

When I walk into Pearsons thirty minutes late, there’s an indie rock band playing. A young girl with pink hair sings into the microphone like her life depends on it. Not my taste, but they’re good.

I weave through the tables until I spot Mateo and Nate, realizing quickly that I’m officially the last single standing among my friends. They are cozy and barely notice me until I reach the table.

“Nate owes me a hundred bucks.” Mateo smiles as I slide up, tipping his chin a couple tables over.

I spot the blonde before I see Jesse sitting next to her and grin. Predictable as ever. Reaching in my pocket, I pull out a hundred-dollar bill.

“I came prepared.” I smile.

Mateo snatches it out of my fingers and waves it at Nate. “See, if you’re gonna make a bet then you better come ready to pay up.”

Nate wipes his dark blond hair off his face and smiles. “I’ll pay up, all right.” He leans into Mateo’s neck and kisses his way up to his ear.

“All right, lovebirds.” I lay my purse down on the table. “Don’t make me drink alone while you make out all day. If I wanted that, I could just go hang out with Kennedy or Monica.”

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