Page 10 of Love & Other Disasters

She laughed, a musical little giggle. “Hardly, Elle and I once snuck into this tasting at…” she glanced over. “Is she asleep?”

Elle was curled up, head on Brent’s shoulder passed out.

Brent nodded. “I need to get her home.”

“Did you drive?” Katia asked. “We ordered a ride.”

His time with the chestnut-haired beauty was slipping away. She would leave with her friend.

“I did. I’m parked in a lot.” Brent kissed the top of Elle’s head. “Hey,” he whispered, and she stirred. Sitting up wide-eyed, then a blush swept across her cheeks.

“I am so sorry,” she began. “I cannot believe I fell asleep like that.”

“It’s been a long day,” Katia said, standing, and they hugged. “You and Brent need to go on home.”

Elle opened her mouth to protest.

“You’re exhausted,” Katia said.

“Brent can take you home.”

J.P.’s heart jumped into his throat, and his breath caught waiting on Katia’s decision.

“I’ll order a ride, don’t worry about me.”

His heart settled back into his chest. He hoped to get her to stay a while longer before she called for that car. He shook Brent’s hand.

“Great to see you again,” Brent said. “Keep me posted on the job.”

“Yes, and I’ll let you know if I’m moving to town.”

Then, he was alone, in a crowded bar lounge, with Katia. She’d settled back on the seat, slipped off her heels, returned to sipping the wine. That was a sign she wasn’t looking to leave soon. J.P. slid out of his suit jacket and draped it over the arm of the loveseat.

“Do you want another?” he asked, head buzzing but determined to keep the evening going and charm Ms. Katia at the same time.

“Sure. Why not?”

J.P. returned from the bar with her glass of wine, a scotch for himself, and a basket of homemade chips balanced precariously. Katia’s bare feet were propped on the coffee table, and she held her phone aloft taking photos of the area without moving from her seat.

She aimed at him. “Say, monkey gland.”

He laughed at the reference to the drink she’d ordered Elle and she snapped a photo.

“One of us together,” he said, sitting their drinks and chips on the table.

“Oh, I don’t know…”

He sat and wrapped an arm around her shoulder; Katia melded to his side like she belonged there. She shook her head as she adjusted the phone camera and held it out, taking a selfie of them.

“See, you’re gorgeous.” J.P. commented on the photo. Her cheeks flushed pink. He smiled, handing her the glass of wine and retrieving his scotch. When he leaned back, she curled back into his side, holding her skirt in place while drawing her knees in, and tucking her feet under her bottom. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

“Chip?” he asked, holding the basket.

Katia took one.

“You write about fashion?” he asked. She had him intrigued in the best way possible.

“I don’t want to talk about work,” she replied, shoving a chip in her mouth.

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