Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Maybe one last time…
That’s a bad thought to have with a man like Arlo Graves.
By the time Saturday night rolls around, I’ve dodged every one of Arlo’s calls. I tell myself it’s for the best, but it doesn’t stop the flutter in my pulse every time the phone lights up.
Sebastian’s fingers thread through mine as we step into the venue, all polished floors and sharp edges. Even though I’m not as close to Sebastian as I am to Delaney, he’s still a solid, reliable friend, the kind who doesn’t ask too many questions. He’s easy to be around and a joy to have on my arm at these kinds of stodgy gala events.
I’m feeling confident and polished tonight, despite the tension lingering in my shoulders. My dress is strapless, sleek, and hugs my waist as if it were made for me. And even though no one will see it, I added a touch of concealer to cover the dark hickey blooming on my breast like some kind of kinky Rorschach image.
My gaze flits around, taking in the servers weaving through the crowd with practiced ease, balancing silver trays, and the room buzzes with laughter, perfume, and polite conversation. Everyone here is dressed to be noticed. This event is brighter than most, with fewer moody chandeliers and more glaring overheads that leave little to the imagination, casting light even in the shadiest corners.
The floor beneath my heels is dark-stained wood, the tables lined with flawless white linen, everything a little too perfect. I smile, I nod at acquaintances, I float. And somewhere under it all, I try to ignore the pulse in my throat that still jumps when I think of him.
“I can’t thank you enough for coming with me tonight,” Sebastian says, and I squeeze his hand as we move around the event space. He’s receiving an award tonight for all of his volunteer work in the community.
If Sebastian were straight, I so would have married him by now. Tonight, he owns the room. He’s dressed in a bright blue suit paired with a tie in a lighter shade of blue, which looks amazing against his dark skin, and his head has been freshly shaved and smoothed, which, I might add, looks good on him. Not only is he a good person, but he’s also a beautiful man on the outside.
“You know I’m always here for you,” I reply.
Sebastian has a big family—unlike me—but they don’t live in the city. It’s one of the reasons we became friends. We were both alone here, and, of course, along with Delaney, trying to make a name for ourselves.
“I’m so nervous,” he quietly murmurs so no one else can hear.
“Don’t be. You’ll accept the award, then give an amazing speech, and after that, we can drink all night.” I smile at him as I lift the hem of my dress when we walk. Sebastian requested that I wear blue to match him, and luckily, I already owned a blue dress, so it worked out well.
“Maybe one or both of us will even get lucky.” He waggles his brows at me.
“Yeah, no. I got rid of Luke, so I’m in my single-girl era.” I chuckle as we walk past a group of people we don’t know. I know there’s a good chance we’ll see a few clients here tonight—it’s what happens when you cater to the wealthy. They love to have a good time.
“What? When did that happen, and why did you wait so long to tell me?” he asks, stopping on the way to the bar.
I laugh at his reaction and shake my head.
“It happened several weeks ago. It was past time for me to ditch him.”
“Damn right it was. That man was only using you.”
“But I agreed to be used.” I wink at him and slide my arm through his as we continue on in the direction of the bar.
“Of course you did,” he says as he takes one of the free drinks from the bar, then grabs for one for me. “So, you’re over being used?” He raises a brow.
“Well, about that…” I take a sip of the champagne before I meet his eyes.
“Don’t tell me you met someone else already.” He shakes his head. “That’s so unfair,” he whines, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Hey, you do fine in the man department.”
“Yes, but it’s been a few months for me.”
An announcement is made, and everyone starts making their way to the tables.
“So, who’s the new guy?” he asks, leading me through the room. I don’t know where we’re seated, so I follow him, hoping he knows which table is ours.
“I met him through work,” I tell him as he stops us next to a table. When I go to pull out a chair, another hand reaches out and does it for me. I turn to thank the person, and as my gaze runs up past the hands to the face, my heartbeat quickens.