Page 5 of Wild for You
I take Landon's dramatic exit as an opportunity to order some chili cheese fries from the bar. And since he wants to give me the cold shoulder, I’m only sharing if he asks nicely.
CHAPTERTHREE
Gwen
“Elliot,I’m so happy for you. You look absolutely stunning!” I take in my gorgeous bestie, and a prickle of jealousy stabs at me and catches me off guard. It’s been a weird day. After the events of last night, maybe I’m just so penis-starved that I’m actually jealous of my best friend’s engagement even though there’s no chance I’m locking down the same D for the rest of my life. Nope, that’s not how this girl rolls.
I met my best friends, Elliot and Maggie, in college, and they’ve been my ride or dies ever since. While Maggie’s the mom of the group, making sure everyone feels seen and heard, Elliot is the chaos. I’m not going to lie; she’s a good time and seeing her finally find herself has been the most amazing thing. I’d like to think she did it all on her own, but I know her fiancé, Benjamin, made a huge impact on her. I’m so happy they have each other.
“Gwen, you look stunning. I have a table for you and Maggie right next to the bar. Come on, let me show you your seats!” Elliot drags me across the dance floor of the hip ballroom. My mind flashes back to the moment she caught her big break in this same place. Though the job didn’t work out quite how she’d planned, I’ll never regret making that introduction. My, how things can change in just a year.
I scan the room and spot Maggie talking to Elliot’s mother, and the knot in my stomach finally relaxes. I love these girls, and there’s no one else I’d rather spend time with before leaving the country.
Today was a whirlwind of a day, and I’m so exhausted. I’ve been up to my eyeballs in paperwork and forms, preparing for tomorrow’s excursion. Éclat even mandated I receive three different vaccines before I could leave.
I rub my achy arm and grab a fresh glass of champagne, pushing all my work thoughts out of my mind. Tonight, I’m here to celebrate my best friend. Even though it goes against everything in me, I suppress my control issues and force myself to be present for her. I’ll just have to worry about Wombat Willy on my flight first thing tomorrow morning.
“Here’s to Elliot and Benjamin! Now, let’s have some fun, shall we?”
* * *
“I’m swearing off men.I can’t handle the disappointment. He actually spat in my mouth! You know I can’t even handle someone’s breath in my face, much less a wad of phlegm.” I shiver at the memory that will haunt me for the rest of my life. “I don’t know what it is, but every guy I’ve attempted to hook up with in the past year has left me utterly disappointed. Maybe this is the universe’s way of telling me I’m supposed to be a lesbian.” I shove a french fry into my mouth.
“Gwen, we all know you’d be a shit lesbian partner. You’d be jealous of your girlfriend rather than in love with her.” Elliot laughs.
“You’re right. We all know I have great tits. I don’t know what I’d do if my girlfriend had better boobs than me. Besides, there’s just something about having a super-masculine man wrapped around my finger that gets me going,” I add.
“Personally, I’m more concerned that the rando-spitter guy knows where you live,” Maggie scolds, “Gwen, you can’t just bring random men back to your apartment like that. What if he’s a stalker and he planted a recording device in your bedroom or something?”
“I’m not going to lie, Mags. My vag just lit up when you said the word stalker. I guess I do still have that exhibitionist fetish …”
“I can’t with you right now! And you’re leaving tomorrow morning going where exactly? When did you find all of this out?” Maggie takes another pull of her beer.
“I’ll be on a flight to Costa Rica first thing in the morning. I volunteered to babysit some high-profile wannabe Steve Irwin. I’ll be trading in my LBD for DEET for the next two weeks.” I shrug.
“Why would you do that? You hate the outdoors?” Maggie asks.
“I just had this gut feeling in the meeting today. I can’t explain it. I know this client is completely out of my comfort zone, but I really think I can do this. And if I pull it off, there’s no way Sandra can deny me that promotion. Besides, it’s Costa Rica.” I take a long sip of my champagne. “At least I’ll have great views from my room. I’m going to treat this time away as a break from reality, get some work done, and come back rejuvenated and ready to ask Sandra to make me a VP finally.”
“Well, I’m so glad you could make it tonight. You may want to take it easy on the champagne, though. I’d hate for you to be hungover on your flight.” Elliot wraps her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug.
“I love you, girl, but you know I can handle my liquor. Besides, who knows when I’ll be able to get my hands on a fabulous glass of champagne again? It may be Mai Tais and Sex on the Beach for me for the new few weeks.” I pull away and offer my drink. “Cheers!”
“Cheers,” they say in unison as Maggie gives Elliot a side-eye.
Over the rim of my drink, I see a tall, dark, and mysterious piece of man-candy lounging at the bar. His long brown hair is pulled up in a messy bun, and his biceps are practically crying to be freed from his suit jacket. He’s not my usual type, too rugged, but my vagina seems to have her own ideas.
“Who’s that?” I casually ask Elliot.
“Who’s who?” She looks around.
“The bearded hottie talking to Benjamin at the bar.” I nod toward the group of men.
“That’s Jack. He’s one of Benjamin’s best friends … Why do you want to know?” She tilts her head in suspicion, and then she realizes. “No, Gwenneth, don’t even think about it. Benjamin’s friends are strictly off-limits untilafterthe wedding. You know the last thing I need is for him to spit in your mouth or breathe on you with his morning breath and you ghost him in the middle of wedding planning.” Elliot slaps her hand on the table. “Maggie, could you please keep an eye on her? I’ve got to make sure my mother stays away from the jungle juice that Jack so generously contributed.”
After she walks away, I turn on Maggie. “I haven’t had jungle juice since college. It would be so sad if I missed my only chance to taste it again.” I wink.
“Gwenneth Peirson, now is not the time to get a wild hair!” she hisses as I shimmy out of my seat with only one thing on my mind.
