She’s so unlike every other girl in Silver tonight. Understated, but still the most beautiful girl in the room. Her red sundress flares at her thighs, accentuating her hips and showcasing her lean legs. She’s breathtaking.
As if I’ve willed her eyes toward me, she looks up, and our gazes connect. My blood flows uncomfortably to my cock, and I have to force myself not to adjust my growing hard-on. Damn. She’s ethereal in a way very few others are.
A ray of fucking sunshine.
I’m so enchanted by the woman that I don’t sense Mandy at my back until her hand lands on my shoulder, and her lips are pressed against my ear.
“It could’ve been you tonight, but I can tell when a man is not interested.”
Thank fuck.
I turn to look at her, not wanting to come off as intentionally rude, given she’s acquainted with Pax. “It’s not you. It’s me.”
“The age-old excuse.” She offers me a tight-lipped smile, nodding briskly. She doesn’t buy my words, but I can’t be bothered to care. I’ve done my part in offering a reason that’s not as harsh as reality.
“It was nice to meet you, Charles.”
“Likewise, Mandy.” I grab her hand and raise it to my lips. “Enjoy your night.”
She steps back into the enclosed VIP room, and I sigh in relief at her retreat.
“Let’s go before she changes her mind,” Paxton quips, motioning toward the crowd. “There are fish aplenty, and they won’t murder you with a pickax in your sleep.”
“You don’t say,” I grunt, picturing the whole scene that Pax has laid out.
Mandy would play the perfect psycho.
“Don’t you worry. I’ll find you a good one.” He smirks.
I turn my head in the direction of the blonde, but her eyes are no longer pointed toward me. She’s back to talking with her friends as though our moment never happened.
It’s for the best, based on the ridiculous reaction I had by simply looking at her.
Women like her are bad news for men like me.
Strings. Attachments. Promises.
The things I cannot offer.
Tonight, I’m looking for Mandy 2.0, minus the madness.
2
Raven
“Cheers to my friend, conquering the world!” Lily hands me a glass of champagne.
With a shake of my head, I look at the effervescing liquid and let out a chuckle. “What happened to our usual martinis?” My brow rises in question. “Since when do we drink champagne?”
“Today, we’re celebrating that you’re one step closer to conquering the world.”
I roll my eyes. “I got a new job. I didn’t cure cancer.” My heart tightens in my chest. “Plus . . .” I take the drink in my hand but don’t lift it to my mouth. “Is it really right to celebrate today?”
“You managed to snag the job of a lifetime.”
“Yeah, but the timing.” Despite how exciting it is, it feels bittersweet. Today is the five-year anniversary of my father’s death.
“He would have wanted you to celebrate.” Lily offers me a small smile. She’s trying to get me out of my head.
If anyone knows how much my father meant to me, it’s her and our other friend, Asher. They both have been my friends since before Dad died.
We all met the first day of freshman year.
Lily was my roommate, and our friend Asher . . .
We met him that first meal in the cafeteria, and after a heated debate over whether sweet potato fries or tater tots were better, he’s never left our side.
Which is why they showed up at my apartment today, forced me to get dressed, and dragged me out. Which I appreciate. Still, I can’t help the heavy feeling in my heart.
He should be alive to celebrate with me. “I know, but—”
“No buts. This is why Asher and I forced you to come out. You deserve this job, and there is no way we were going to let you stay home feeling sad while eating a whole pint of ice cream.”
“I wouldn’t eat the whole thing.”
“You forget Asher and I have been with you every year. Sometimes you eat two pints.”
My free hand reaches out, and I take hers in mine. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For always being there. You and Asher . . . I don’t know how I would have made it this far without you.” My throat feels dry, and I can feel my vision become fuzzy from the unshed tears. I blink, and one slips down my cheek.
Lily gives my hand a squeeze. “There will be none of that. No thank you and no tears.”
“Fine. Speaking of Asher, where did he go? He was just here, and now, he’s gone.”
She blinks several times, taking a sip of her drink. “Why would I know?”
Inclining my head, I give her a look that says I’m not buying it. Her head swivels around the room, evading my heavy stare.
Like she doesn’t know where he is.
We might all be best friends, but Lily . . . well, she’s been in love with him the whole time.
I narrow my eyes at her. “Are we really still playing this game?” Lily’s eyes widen as she nervously chews on her bottom lip while toying with the ends of her long, red hair. “Oh, there he is now,” I say and wave Asher over.
From the corner of my eye, I notice that Lily sits up a little straighter. Her shoulders go back, and her breasts jut out as she straightens the collar of her black button-down dress.
Unfortunately for Lily, Asher’s a player. At this stage of his life, she has no shot with him.
“Hey, hey, there’s my girl,” he says, gliding up beside me. “Getting wasted without me?”
I shrug.
“Harsh.” He laughs.
“Lily’s trying to keep my spirits up.”
Asher's smile drops, and he wraps his hand around my shoulder. “He would have been so proud.”
“Thanks,” I mouth back and then hold up my glass. “You drinking?”
“You know it.” He drops his arm from around me and starts to wave down the bartender.
Asher orders himself a beer and pulls up a barstool. “Congratulations, Miss Raven Bennett. You’re officially employed.”
“I’ve been employed before,” I reply.
“Sure, but that didn’t count.”
I lift my brow at his words. “Oh, yeah? Why not?”
“You worked part time while getting your MBA. This is the real deal now.”
I groan. He’s right. I have a great résumé, but I’ve never worked full time at a company like this.
Despite my credentials, my previous work experience, and the internships I have had, I’m still starting at the bottom.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m ecstatic at landing a job, but it’s basic compared to the level of knowledge I have.
“You’re an advertising analyst now.”
“I’m a glorified assistant.” I sigh, laying my head on Asher’s shoulder. “The thought of running errands and grabbing coffee for the higher-ups makes me want to gag.”
“It won’t be that bad,” Lily assures lamely, scooting her barstool closer to Asher. “You’ve always been able to charm your way into better seats at the corporate table.”