Kaylee
My head was about to explode. Everywhere you turned were men in designer suits and women who looked ready for the runway. Everyone wanted to say hi, everyone wanted to talk about boring business deals and stock markets, boring work hours and work loads. The most interesting it had gotten was when this one dude mentioned a new vegan place down the block.
No fucking thank you. I like my pepperoni on my pizza. I like my sausage on pizza. Let's not forget about the bacon.
Yeah, no, I could never become a vegetarian. Sorry, not sorry.
How pathetic this night was turning out to be. The most interesting conversation was about a vegan restaurant. What was next, we would talk about the weather?
"Have you seen the forecast?" The woman across from us asked. She twirled a strand of her strawberry blond hair around her finger. "I heard it might rain tomorrow."
Fuck this.
I'm fucking out of here.
I spun around on my heels, ready to seek out this open bar that Toni had promised.
"I need a drink if I'm going to get through this." Sawyer muttered.
I watched wide-eyed and frowning as he turned and went straight for the bar. "Motherfucker stole my line."
Leaving Toni with a permanent downturn of her lips, I stormed after her boyfriend. He had already picked out a stool at the end of the half circle bar stationed against the wall.
"Vodka, pronto." He told one of the bartenders.
I plopped down into the seat next to him, glaring holes into the side of his face.
"It's rude to stare."
"You're beginning to become a nuisance, eye candy." I said. I crossed my arms over the brown and black counter, flicking a strand of brown hair when it obscured my vision. "There's only room for one alcoholic in this group. That spot has been claimed by mua."
"Is that so?"
I swiped the glass of vodka the bartender placed in front of him, downing it in one go.
Instead of the pissing bricks look I was expecting to be on the recieving end of, I was surprised to see he was amused. He ordered another drink right as Toni sidled up on his other side.
"Should you be drinking?" She asked hesitantly. She chewed her lip and set her pink purse down on the counter. Her eyes darted around the large soon-to-be-reception-area.
There was no doubt in my mind that everything would be cleaned up and in working order over night. If I knew Toni's father, and I did, his employees would be working in this exact building first thing tomorrow morning.
"What's the big deal?" He asked as another drink was placed in front of him. He eyed me wearily as he grabbed it and brought it to his lips. "It's just one drink."
Two men--Toni's father and another-- stepped right up alongside me.
Personal space invaded. Thanks so fucking much.
Jasper smiled his perfectly practised let's-seal-this-business-deal smile. He set his hand on my shoulder and gave it a friendly squeeze. "Kaylee, I'm so glad you could make it. What do you think of my new building?"
"There's a lot of glass."
He threw his head back laughing. "This one always has something funny to say."
Okay. But that wasn't meant to be funny. Not a joke, it's a fact.
His eyes shot towards his daughter and Sawyer, lips tightening just that little bit. Enough to inform me of his concern. "And how's the happy couple?"
"Still very happy daddy." Toni said. She smiled brightly, placing her hand on Sawyer's shoulder.
Was that a hint of prepiness I detected?
Hmm.
I narrowed my eyes at her curiously.
"I don't believe we've met," the man standing next to Jasper said. His voice was deep and his eyes were a menacing shade of dark blue. They were sharp and slicing me apart layer by layer. This felt more like an interrogation than an introduction. "I'm Elija Sterling, Sawyers father and the proud owner of Architecture at its finest."
A bit of an arrogant name for ones business, but I'd be a hypocrite if I said I disapproved of arrogance.
"Kaylee."
He cocked an eyebrow, waiting for a last name.
Instead I gave him my hand. One firm shake and that was enough physical contact for me.
"Well, we were just about to head upstairs to discuss some future opportunities." Jasper said happily. If you didn't know him, you'd think he was a drunk. He always spoke like he was having the best day of his life. His eyes shined like a child's on Christmas and he treated everyone with the same friendliness.
It was unnerving.
The man didn't drink. Maybe some champagne on a special occasion. He was just naturally a happy person. So naturally, he made me uncomfortable.
"Would you like to join us?" He asked hopefully. "I'd be happy to give you a grand tour."
Drink.
I didn't get my drink yet.
Well, I haven't had my second drink yet.
Or third, or fourth, or fith.
"We'd love that daddy."
Dammit Toni. Way to ruin what little solace I had in this forsaken place.
"Right this way," he waved towards the elevator.
Sawyer threw his drink back when they turned around, then hopped down from the stool to follow them.
Toni laced her fingers through his, smiling a little too brightly when her dad and his glanced back at us. Maybe she was nervous.
I'm sure that's all it was.
We shuffled into the elevator, which, no surprise, had more glass. Three mirrors for walls. Jasper pressed the button for the top floor. He watched the numbers light up until the doors slid open.
"You kids take a look around while we grown ups have a short talk." Jasper gestured for Elija to follow him.
They walked to the other end of the room and entered the biggest office.
I spun in a small circle, taking in the place. Lots of desks. Lots of filing cabinets. The place had that new carpet and fresh paint smell. Not a great combination.
"I want to see what kind of snacks the break room has." Toni said. With her hand still in his, she began leading him off to the left. She stopped a few paces away to glance back at me. "Are you coming?"
I waved my hand dismissively. "Nah, you go ahead."
When they were gone, I bolted to the other side of the room. Luckily the blinds were shut from the other side of the glass windows. They couldn't see me. The door was left slightly ajar, just enough for me to hear their conversation.
"They don't seem very convincing, do they?" Elija asked. His gravely voice traveling through the slit in the door like an echoed whisper.
"Give them time, they'll make it work." Came Jasper's response. "They need each other. This deal is the perfect solution to their problems."
What the fuck are they talking about?
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