Page 57 of Latte Girl
Little GreenDress
Jordan
Iletout a curse as I once again rewind the last five seconds of the ‘How to Tie a Bowtie’ video I’m watching. You’d think that being the son of a multimillionaire would mean I’d be comfortable with wearing a tuxedo, but I can’t even get the fucking tie onright.
In five minutes, a car will be coming to pick me up and take me, Uncle Ludo, and a few other department heads to a dinner party being held by NinaFelina.
Two days ago, I got called into a meeting with Tyler Davidson, the alleged PR Miracle Man, and had to sit through what was basically a four hour course in Felina-ology. I’ll admit she’s a decent singer, but not decent enough to make up for the endless generic pop beats with titles like ‘Y’d U Leave Me Boo?’ and ‘UrMyBae’.
I finally get the bowtie on and stop for a moment to stare at myself in the mirror. I look about as happy as someone heading off to an execution with a very formal dress code. I can’t get the sensation that I’m in a freefall out of my head, and it’s a shock to see that the man staring back at me is still standing with his feet planted firmly on thefloor.
I grabbed onto Hailey’s words earlier like they were a lifeline, but I know I still haven’t tested their strength. If what’s between us snaps from the weight of everything I’ve done wrong, I won’t just be losing a girl who makes me laugh and can buckle my knees by calling my name. I’ve realized how much more than that she’sbecome.
My life so far has been a jigsaw puzzle I never got to solve on my own. I’ve accepted one piece at a time from my father and let him tell me exactly where to put them. Hailey stumbled into my path like an extra piece I’ve been trying to fit where it doesn’t belong. She’s a hint that there’s something else, a different picture I can build. I just can’t see it clearly enough to know which step totakenext.
I feel my phone buzz in my pocket and I turn away from themirror.
Just get through tonight,I tell myself.One morenight.
I’m still repeating the same thing in my head when, four hours later, I hear Ludo’s voice call out to me at theparty.
“Jordan, my boy! There you are. Come help us with thechampagne.”
He catches sight of me just as I’m ducking behind a pillar toavoidhim.
“I was just heading to the washroom,” I lie, hoping he won’t realize the washroom is in the complete oppositedirection.
“Well, come find us when you’re done. Plenty of booze and birds to go around. I have to say, I’m happy with the direction your father’s decided to take the company in.Thisis what I callpublicity.”
He gestures around the hotel bar and lounge that’s been rented out for the occasion. Now that dinner is over, guests in tuxedos and floor length dresses wander around sipping champagne under the dim light coming from a few crystalchandeliers.
“Mhmm,” I drawl, waiting for him toleave.
He heads back over to the overstuffed booth where the other Knox department heads are sitting, sloshing champagne onto the table as they lift their glasses in atoast.
I sneak my way over to a pair of French doors that lead out to a balcony which has been abandoned in the cold weather. A few chairs sit stacked in a corner next to a bag of trash. I step over to the railing and gulp down a few breaths offreezingair.
Staring out at the city lights, I jump when I hear the click of the doorsopening.
“Hey,handsome.”
Nina Felina steps onto the balcony. The sleeveless green dress she’s wearing hugs her every curve, showcasing deep cleavage and an ass I’m sure every guy in the room has admired at least once this evening. We’ve already been introduced, and she’s made a few attempts to talk to me since then, but I’ve managed to avoid heruntilnow.
“You don’t like my party?” she asks, coming to stand beside me at therailing.
“Just neededsomeair.”
She nods, drawing in a deep breath. “Sometimes it’s nice togetaway.”
I glance over at her. Goosebumps are already starting to form alongherarms.
“You should go inside,” I tell her. “It’scold.”
She turns tofaceme.
“Why don’t you warm me up?” shepurrs.
I don’t even have a chance to respond before she’s sidling closer, reaching for my arm and draping it across hershoulders.
