Page 50 of Boss On Notice
“But we’re friends.”
“He’s a good friend to have,” Carol says and points at each of us and continues, “You can get a professional athlete, and so can you, and you”—she stabs herself in the chest with her index finger—“and me.”
“Well, not me,” Xena says sheepishly.
Nat raises her hand, the back of it facing us. “Me neither.”
It takes us a moment to get that she’s flashing her diamond. One look at her sparkling ring puts a sick feeling in my stomach. I probably shouldn’t have thrown mine in the trash can. What was I thinking?
* * *
On Saturday morning,I go walking with Hope, a friend I hadn’t seen since forever, and then we do brunch. We talk about everything that happened in our lives since we last saw each other, which was nearly three years ago. Before I can slip a forkful of hash browns into my mouth my cell phone rings. I glance at the screen intending to let it go to voice mail, but the name on the screen catches me so far off guard that I tell Hope I have to take this.
I say “Hello?” to the caller, sounding confused about why the person is reaching out to little ole me.
* * *
10:03 P.M.
The party started an hour and three minutes ago. I paced in front of my apartment door from nine to nine thirty, fully dressed in a black silk slip dress and a pair of open-toe black heels that have straps that wrap around my ankles and calves. I was wary about coming, but it was like hearing the tower bell sound off in my head when I opened my door and made my way to Mina’s party.
And I must say that I look really tempting tonight. I’m just having one of those nights when my looks are falling into the right places. The humidity has made my hair fluff out in a way that makes me look like I’ve just had sex. My lips are red, skin dewy. I’m not certain if Orion’s here. I should’ve asked Mina if she had invited him. If she would’ve said yes, then for the sake of not tempting myself to have sex with him again, I would’ve stayed home.
Gazing up at the large iron front doors of Mina’s townhome, I sigh. No, I wouldn’t have stayed home. But what if Orion’s here and he brought Heather with him?
“I should’ve asked,” I whisper.
But I won’t turn back now. As I walk up the steps, the doors swing open. I’m sprayed by the beats of pop rap music mixed with chatter. I like this kind of music. It’s the sort that instantly pumps sex appeal and self-esteem through my body. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. Maybe it has to do with Mina and the social circle I’m entering. If it weren’t for accompanying Orion to the wedding, I would’ve never met the twins. And their crew is Orion’s crew. Gosh, I hope I don’t run into him tonight.
The music is pretty prominent inside. The fact that you can’t hear any of it while outside standing on the porch is also indicative of how much money they have. It must’ve cost an arm and a leg to soundproof this place. I’m on the Upper East Side. I don’t know the neighborhood. I gave the cab driver the address and he brought me. But the nearby mini-mansions also smell of money.
I’m catching the eyes of the partygoers as I journey deeper into the residence. A beautiful U-shaped pink velvet sectional seats a bunch of people who are drinking cocktails, eating gourmet finger foods, and engaging in lively conversations. The guests seem to know each other, which makes me feel even more uncomfortable. I don’t fit in, and I’m not the sort of person who works very hard at it. Either my friends and I are a good fit or we aren’t. I guess tonight I’ll find out if the twins and I are meant to be friends.
Folding my arms timidly, I search the faces for a glimpse of one twin or the other. So far, nobody is recognizable except… I lock eyes with Lynx Grove, who’s standing in front of three tall slash windows that display views of a garden lit by fairy lights. Another athletically built man stands with him as well as three stylish women.
I raise a hand and wave at him. Lynx waves back. He says something to the group. Before I can go to him, he’s coming to me. The tension that had been trapped inside me ever since I left my apartment is slowly leaving me. Lynx Grove feels so familiar for so many reasons. I’m not sure I can be friends with Orion, but I can definitely see myself being friends with Lynx.
“Hey you,” he says as I go in for the hug.
“Fancy seeing you here,” I say.
We’re saying a lot as we look downward to chuckle. The coincidence that we ended up at this party alone is remarkable.
“I’m surprised I didn’t run into you in the elevator, Mr. Eleventh Floor.”
I’m flirty and the sparkle in his eyes reveals that he likes it.
Lynx’s hand is on my arm. His touch is warm, strong, soft, but calloused. “You want a drink?”
I pause. It kind of would be nice to lose my head with this particular guy. However, if Lynx stands me up against a wall and bangs my brains out, I want to remember it. “Only the nonalcoholic kind,” I reply.
On that note he went off to fetch me a tonic water with fresh lime. He’s drinking brandy because it relaxes him. He says even though he’s at a party, he can use some relaxation. Work has been hard this week. We’ve carved ourselves two comfortable seats on the big pink sofa. Lynx has revealed that he missed the opportunity to start something with his friend.
“She was single only for a hot minute. I guess, I snoozed and lost.” He snorts, simpering. I can see that he’s really feeling the loss of this lucky woman.
“But does she know you’re interested?” I ask.
He sighs as he sinks more into the sofa, and crosses his legs at the ankle as they stretch across a round black leather ottoman. “Yeah. I think so.”
