Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
“No problem. Usually, I’m on an intravenous coffee drip at this point with all the juggling. And it’s proving more than anything that I need an assistant. My role has morphed so much over the past two years.”
“That’s because you’re efficient, and you love the challenge of taking on new things,” Shilpa says.
“This is accurate.” Hemi sighs. “What about the date packages? Do you need help with any of those?”
“Nope. I’m almost finished creating the packages for the auction, and all the restaurants are comping the meals.” It’s been fun setting up these experiences and tailoring them to the player.
“You are amazing. And having this all set up before the auction will make my life so much easier once the event is over. Hopefully an organized agenda will keep Flip from sleeping with whoever buys a night with him,” Hemi grumbles.
“I mean…he’s been better lately, so we can hope for the best,” Rix says, probably cautiously optimistic.
Tally pokes at her lime.
“How much did he go for last year?” I ask.
“Seventy-four thousand,” Tally offers. She looks around the table, cheeks flushed. “I think, anyway. And Dallas went for fifty-two.”
“That was damn well magical to watch Fielding’s great-grandmother kiss him full on the lips.” Hemi laughs evilly.
“Your hate-on for him is vast and unyielding,” I muse.
“Like the desert, brutal and unrelenting,” Shilpa mutters.
“That’s an excellent comparison.” Hemi sips her water. “Is Hollis still on board?”
I asked him months ago, before…everything. I wasn’t super excited about him going on a date back then, but I’m even less excited now. Especially since the date I designed for him is my personal fantasy. “He hasn’t said anything about backing out.”
“Great.” Hemi leans in and drops her voice. “And you extended the invitation to Scarlet and her castmates?”
“I did, and I’m following up again this week.” I felt like I was going to vomit the entire time, but I talked to her assistant.
“If you don’t hear back, I can follow up. If she says yes, we can do some really cool cross-promotion. It’ll elevate the event.”
Part of me secretly hopes there will be a scheduling conflict and Scarlet won’t make it. But the part that wants this to be the best gala we’ve ever had knows it would be fantastic if she could be there. I pull my scrunchie free from my wrist and finger the fabric. I found it the other day in Hollis’s bedroom when I fed the cats. It smells faintly of his laundry detergent and body wash. I slip it back on my wrist before I give in to the urge to sniff it in front of my friends.
Rix grabs my wrist. “You found your favorite scrunchie! Where was it?”
“At Hollis’s. It must have fallen out of my pocket.” I wonder when he found it. And why was it on his dresser?
Tally’s phone buzzes on the table, and she checks the screen with a sigh. “I have to go home.”
It’s a school night, and it’s closing in on ten. She has a ten-thirty weeknight curfew.
“I’ll drive you,” Hemi offers.
“Are you sure? I know it’s early.”
“Absolutely. I have a coffee date tomorrow morning.”
“Coffee date?” I ask as we all perk up. “With who?”
“Just some guy I met online. I need a date for this thing in the summer, so I’m starting on the mission early.” Hemi shrugs into her jacket.
“Summer? But that’s months away,” Rix says.
“Ash’s cousin could be a good option,” Shilpa offers.
“I love you, and I love the offer, but I’m a lot of woman, and I don’t want that kind of awkwardness if he decides I’m not his type.” Hemi hugs Shilpa’s arm.
“I think you’re the perfect amount of woman, but I also understand.” Shilpa’s gaze shifts across the room to where Ash and Dallas are chatting.
“I need a good head start. Online dating is a nightmare,” Hemi says. “Zero out of ten, don’t recommend.”
“I tried it once. Epic fail.” Rix also grabs her jacket. “Speaking of potential nightmares…Tristan has been boring a hole in the side of my head for the past half hour. I should probably get him home before he drags me into the bathroom.”
“Would he really do that?” Tally asks as we slide out of the booth.
“I’d like to think he wouldn’t, but I can never be sure.”
Tristan, who was on the other side of the bar three seconds ago, is suddenly at Rix’s side. “We’re going home, baby?”
She pats his chest. “Yes, we’re going home.”
“Thank fuck.” He kisses her cheek then helps her into her jacket. “Ladies, have a nice night. Tell the guys I said bye.” He takes Rix’s hand before she can go in for good-bye hugs and drags her out the door.
“I want someone to want me that much.” Tally has a dreamy, faraway look on her face.
“We all want that.” Hemi pats her on the back.