Page 77 of You Were Invited
This was stupid. I should’ve called first. Texted…
“Well... it was nice seeing you,” Annie said to Teagan, pasting on the biggest smile she could conjure up. Before he could reply, she spun on her heel and made for the door—
Running right into a waitress carrying a tray of drinks.
“Oh!” the waitress cried. Plastic cups, straws, ice, and soda tumbled to the floor. They sprayed both Annie and the waitress.
The waitress tore off her apron, attempting to mop up the flood. A few nearby diners tossed their napkins down on the mess. Others stared at the chaos before reluctantly resuming their chatter, glancing over occasionally.
Soda soaked Annie’s arms and chest. Her hands covered her nose as she stood in embarrassment hell.I’m going to throw up!
Teagan had rushed off and reappeared with a mop bucket.
“Sorry,” she said, to nobody in particular. “Sorry!” Teary-eyed, she stepped back and turned for the exit.
“You good?” A woman’s voice called from behind. A hand grabbed Annie’s shoulder.
Annie turned.
“You okay, hun?” Ellie smiled. “You’re all wet!”
Annie blinked, shrinking back. She’d made a mess of the party. “I’m sorry. I was just going.”
“Did Julian invite you?”
“Not exactly.” Annie’s eyes flitted to the bar. She couldn’t see Julian. Maybe he had run for the hills.I need to get out of here.“I saw your commercial,” she explained, trying to remember her manners. “Everything looks great. I wanted to stop by for a few minutes.”
“A few minutes?”
“Yep. Good to see you, sorry about your floor, I’ll hopefully be back in a few months and —”
“C’mon, sit down! I’ll get you a towel.”
Ellie grabbed her by the hook of her elbow and plopped her down in the nearest empty booth.
Annie felt breathless. “No, r-really–”
Ellie gave her a firm look. “I’ll be back.”
Swallowing, Annie nodded.
A couplefew people were now staring unabashedly, but she ignored them. She noticed that the pretty nurse who’d flirted with Julian was now sitting with an older couple.Likely her parents.Annie sighed and did her best to keep the tears off her face. She wished more than anything for a big menu to hide behind.
There were more intrigued stares, followed by footsteps.
“Look who I found! Julian!”
Annie’s head turned so fast it gave her a neck cramp.
Ellie dragged a confused-looking Julian to the table, her arm linked with his. Her other hand was on his back like she was making a citizen’s arrest.
Or he’s her hostage.
Their eyes met.
“Hey,” Shock painted Julian’s face before it disappeared behind a wall of cool and calm.
“H-hey.” Immediately, Annie felt twitchy. Her face got hotter than it ever had in her entire life.Oh, no…
