Page 46 of Until We're More
entertainment. Anyway, I’ll save my superlong story
about work for tomorrow, as I’m running out of sticky notes &
you don’t have any anywhere. How can that be?
XOXO,
Chelsea
In spite of being ridiculously tired, I was also ridiculously hungry. I warmed the leftovers in the microwave, and as I was eating them, I thought that at least I’d have someone waiting at home for me a little while longer.
And I didn’t want to think about how lonely it’d seem after she left.
Chapter Twenty
Chelsea
Happy hour with your coworkers. Sounded like a good idea in theory, until you remembered you were a lightweight who hadn’t had enough food, and then you worried you were about to slip up and say something that might destroy all your credibility. Or, knowing me, manage to trip and fall, even from a seated position—I’d learned not to underestimate my special skills in the clumsy department.
Which was why I’d texted Liam and told him that I was a bit tipsy and couldn’t drive, and didn’t he want to meet some of the people I worked with and have a drink with me? Sure, I could take a cab home, but I hated to leave my car at the bar all night, and more than that, I wanted to see him. Last night I’d been disappointed we couldn’t celebrate. After I’d gotten the text he wouldn’t make it for dinner, I’d decided to get him a takeout order anyway, and then I went ahead and sent a delivery order to Mom and Jesse, since I felt guilty I still hadn’t been over there. Not guilty enough to go, since they’d take my celebratory dinner and find a way to make the night about them.
Which meant I definitely needed a do-over celebration, preferably with Liam, and I was holding out hope that tonight could be our night. Besides, if he was by my side, I’d relaxandhave someone to catch me in case of trippage.
“Holy shit,”Ashlee said. “Look at the two hotties who just came in.” She fanned her face with her hand. “I think I finally understand the saying ‘break me off a piece of that.’”
I glanced at the door, thinking neither of them could be as hot as Liam, but I was wrong. One was. Finn came close and all, but my heart would always belong to the older, taller brother. “Ooh, those are my friends.” I waved. “They’re brothers, in case you can’t tell. They’re also MMA fighters. Their family owns a gym where they train other fighters, as well as offer classes, which is something new they’re doing, but they’re really good at it.” On a normal day I gave more than the required information, but add some alcohol, and the fun facts flowed even faster.
“Seriously?” Ashlee licked at the salt that’d stuck to her lips after taking a swig of her margarita. “Do you ever ask them to make you a sandwich?”
I scrunched up my forehead. “No. I mean sometimes Liam will make me one if he’s making one. He makes me breakfast here and there.”
Ashlee laughed. “I mean like an MMA brother on each side—you know. A sexy dude sandwich with you in the middle.”
Her words clicked together. “Ah, like a Salvatore brother thing.”
“A fellowVampire Diariesfan—nice! And yes, that’sexactlywhat I mean.”
Technically there were times I’d ridden between them in Liam’s truck, but it wasn’t like it was some tawdry experience. Not exactly a hardship, either, but Liam always eclipsed everyone else, and I was starting to worry he always would, whether or not he was even in the freaking room.
“You know, I was always team Stefan,” I said. “That guy was strong and steady, and bad boys are totally overrated.”
“See, that’s where I’m gonna have to disagree. Team Damon all the way.”
Bracing a hand on the table, I stood as the Roth boys approached. “Hey, guys! Glad you could make it. These are my coworkers.” I went down the line, introducing Ashlee, the rest of the team, and Brad. “These are my friends, Liam and Finn. We grew up next door to each other.”
Liam bobbed his head while Finn said hello and grinned at Ashlee. I wanted to subtly tell him that I’d rather he not go there, since she and I were finally learning to push past our initial issues and get along, and I didn’t want to endanger that.
But then Liam placed his hand on the small of my back and leaned closer, his lips brushing my ear and sending goose bumps across my skin. “Hey.”
I twisted toward him and wound my arms around his waist. “Hiiii.”
One corner of his mouth tipped up.
“What?”
“Nothing. You okay?”
I enthusiastically nodded, thinking I was much, much better now. “Can we stay for a while? Maybe have another drink or two? I’ve been doing so well at being assertive, and I want to balance it by showing we’re a team, but if I start saying too much or doing something embarrassing, that’s when I’ll need you to carry me out of here.”
