by Parker, Ali
They both laughed. It was true. There were a lot of Garys. I’d had more doors slammed in my face than I cared to count. My success was the best revenge. I had made my money despite the hurdles, despite the lack of support. In my mind, it was the hurdles and lack of support that propelled me forward. I was more determined than ever to be successful. I knew my shit. I trusted my research.
“We all are very happy Al took the chance,” Gary said with a laugh. “I’m not a gambling man. I didn’t want to see one of my ships sink to the bottom of the ocean.”
“Lucky for me, the ship didn’t sink. None of them did. If you excuse me, I need to say hello to someone.” I walked away, anxious to get away from them.
I moved through the crowd, nodding at a few familiar faces. Charlie made his way to me. “See? It’s not so bad.”
I glowered at him. “It is painful.”
“Nah, it’s not so bad. I’ve already met two very lovely ladies. I could introduce you.”
“No thanks, I’m good.”
“Incoming,” he said in a hushed voice.
“Xander,” Al, the man hosting the party and the owner of the company, said. “Thank you so much for coming.”
“Thank you for inviting me,” I replied. “This is nice.”
Al smiled and looked around. “It is nice. We owe my lovely wife Deidre the credit.”
The woman stepped forward and smiled. She had Texas-big hair. “Hello, Xander. It’s nice to finally meet you. You’ve made my husband a very happy, wealthy man.”
I smiled. “I’m happy to help.”
“We owe this tremendous year to you. Your ships changed our entire business model.”
“I’m glad I could be a help to you,” I said, doing my best to sound pleasant.
“It’s more than just a little help,” Al said with a laugh. “I look forward to talking with you again. I have some grand plans.”
I slowly nodded. “I look forward to that.”
“Great, I’ll be in touch. Take advantage of the food and drinks.”
“Thanks,” I said.
He walked away, leaving me and Charlie alone. “Look at you, drumming up business without even trying.”
“My designs sell themselves.”
“Not arrogant at all,” he said with a laugh and slapped my back. “I’m going to see how many more ladies I can meet. I’m keeping my eye on you. Drink and have fun.”
I held up my glass. “I am.”
“Now get to the part where you have fun.”
He walked away, leaving me alone in the swarm of people. I swallowed the last of my drink before getting a fresh glass. With my glass full, I slowly extracted myself from the crowd, moving to the corner I had been eying since I walked through the door.
I leaned against the wall, my eyes surveying the people that all seemed to be having a good time. They were all laughing and chatting. Part of me wanted to be like that. Then there was that part of me that had no inclination to be one of them. I liked my life just the way it was.
The slow spotlight, which was a soft blue hue and didn’t blind a person, moved over me. It was kind of soothing. I had noticed the little touches. The old-school lanterns and the lights that would have been mounted on a ship were strategically placed around the large room. There was no missing the giant anchor in its prominent position in the center of the room.
It wasn’t a terrible party. I had certainly been to worse. There was, however, a certain vibe in the place. It seemed like the people were truly enjoying themselves. It was obvious the attendees were the real people that ran the company. They did the work and they were being justly rewarded. It won Al some points in my book. He was a good boss.
“Bored?” a female voice cut through my thoughts.
I turned to my left to see a beautiful woman approach me. She had an air of confidence about her that I was immediately attracted to. “Nah, quite the opposite,” I told her.
“You don’t look like a wallflower,” she replied. She came to stand beside me, casually leaning against the wall. I caught a whiff of vanilla. I didn’t know if it was her hair or her skin, but it was intoxicating in the best way. I found myself inhaling through my nose to get a better whiff.
“I don’t know that I am a wallflower,” I answered.
I barely looked at her. I didn’t want to look directly at her. Her blue eyes were stunning and could suck a man in. Her black hair was long and curly, hanging well past her shoulders. It wasn’t just her eyes that could pull a man in. Her body was smoking hot, curvy and supple. I could imagine the weight of those breasts in my hands.
“I noticed you seem to be rather popular,” she commented.
I looked around. “Why would you get that idea?”
“I’ve seen the looks. People are looking at you like you are a big deal.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know why.”
She softly laughed. “I have a feeling you do know. Humility is a good thing.”
“I honestly don’t know what you are seeing. I’m standing alone, unbothered. At least, I was alone.”
She laughed again. “Prickly. You are not a wallflower, more of a wall cactus.”
I couldn’t help but smile. She didn’t know who I was. That was refreshing. “I believe that is an apt description. I’ll take it.”
Her pretty smile reached her eyes, crinkling just a little at the corners. I liked that she was a pretty smiler. So many of the women I dated had this idea that smiling caused wrinkles. They would offer weird lip movements instead. I liked genuine people.
“Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves,” she commented.
I nodded. “I agree.”
“Ah, you are a man of few words.”
“I thought I was a prickly cactus?”
She giggled, sounding very young. “Yes, yes, you are.”
She was definitely not like most of the women I encountered. Maybe the party wasn’t so bad after all. I didn’t mind passing some time with her. That was all I was doing, passing the time until I could leave.
Chapter 6
Evie
The man was handsome as hell. I had a feeling he knew it as well. Not that he acted stuck up or arrogant but there was a vibe about him, like a “don’t bother me, I’m too sexy for my suit,” kind of thing. He seemed bored, like he attended parties like this all the time. My party was another in a long line of boring engagements he was forced to attend. I wondered if he was part owner of the company throwing the party. Maybe he was the pain in the ass brother that lurked in the shadows.
I turned, leaning my shoulder against the wall as I faced him. His hair was a little too long for him to be one of the usual suits that ran a big company. His eyes were a light shade of brown, almost a yellowish gold tone. His brows were thick and his lashes were long. His jaw was square and chiseled. I liked that he had a hint of a shadow along his jawline. He was definitely not the average suit. Every other man at the party, not counting those that had beards, were freshly shaven.
Not him. I was guessing he shaved that morning and called it good enough. The faint hint of brown stubble was actually very attractive. The man was large and very tall, and underneath the suit, I could tell he was built. Maybe he was one of the ship workers. That had to be it. He was the kind of guy that would be shirtless and sweaty with his muscles bulging as he tossed heavy ropes and cargo.
“You seem bored, like this is something you do often,” I commented.
He smirked. “Too often for my liking.”
My theory he was a ship worker was dashed. A ship worker would not be the kind to attend fancy parties on the regular. “Most people enjoy a good party.”
He shrugged. “I think it’s a pointless waste of money. And time. There are about a million other things I could be doing right now.”
“Having fun isn’t wasteful,” I argued. “Fun is living. Nothing is more important than that.”
“Look around you,” he said, turning his shoulder to lean against the wall. Now
we were face to face, getting a good look at one another.
I turned, scanned the area, and looked at him again. “I see people having a good time, enjoying the product of their hard work. They deserve to let their hair down and get to know their coworkers better.”
“I bet half these guys would be just as happy in a bar, wearing their comfortable jeans and kicking back, playing pool and watching a game. They can’t let their hair down in a stuffy party like this. Someone is making a great deal of money off Al’s company’s success. There’s always someone wanting a piece of the pie, whether they earned it or not.”
“What do you mean?” I asked. I was a little offended. I wasn’t going to let on I was offended. He was clearly one of those people that could find fault with anything.
“Al can say what he wants, but I know his wife didn’t put all this together. Some overpaid party planner decided what food to serve and made sure there was plenty of alcohol flowing. That person saw Al’s deep pockets and decided to go crazy. That’s what happens when you write a blank check.”
I smiled to hide my laughter. “That same person probably splurged on all the silly decorations as well.”
“Exactly,” he agreed. “These people work in or on boats. Their entire lives are devoted to boats. Why in the hell would they want to be surrounded by the same shit they see day in and day out?”
I pursed my lips and nodded. “You have a very good point. There should have been something more exciting.” I was going to take his criticism as constructive. He didn’t mean it that way, but that was the way I would apply it to my next venture. I should have done something a little less work-like and more fun. I could have done a tropical theme or something that took the people away from their everyday lives.
He seemed pleased with my assessment. “Exactly,” he said again. “This would have been much better in a bar or a club or even a fucking bowling alley. Don’t you think?”
I softly shrugged the shoulder not pressed against the wall. “Maybe, but I think ladies and even some of the guys enjoy the chance to dress up once in a while. Does a party in a bowling alley really say thank you for making me a very rich man?”
That seemed to hit home. “I suppose not. I bet they would have been just as happy with a bonus check. He could have saved the money and split it between the employees.”
“True, but I bet most of these people would have used the bonus to pay off a bill or something responsible. This is all about them. This is about them getting to mingle and have a nice time away from the kids for the night.”
He looked thoughtful but unconvinced as he sipped on his drink. “What do you do for the company?” he asked.
I took a drink from my glass of plain soda and smiled prettily. “I’m the overpaid party planner.”
He turned a bright shade of red. I thought he would choke on the drink he had just taken. “Shit,” he breathed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—fuck. I’m so sorry.”
I shrugged. “Don’t be. I am an overpaid planner. These things can be fun.”
He scoffed. “Not in my experience.”
“That’s because you are hiding out in a corner,” I told him.
“I don’t know any of these people,” he said.
I scanned the crowd. “Don’t you work with them?”
“No,” he said, offering no explanation.
“Are you a party crasher?”
He gave me a dry look. “Do I act like a party crasher? Wouldn’t I be enjoying myself a little more?”
I looked at his drink. “You’re enjoying the free liquor.”
“I’m here under duress,” he claimed.
I laughed. “I don’t see the chains.”
“I came because I was invited and my friend insisted I show up.”
“You were invited but you don’t work for the company?”
He looked uncomfortable. “No.”
I waited for him to explain. He didn’t. “Are you related to Al?”
“No.”
I burst into laughter. “I think I understand a little more about why you are here in the corner. I feel like I’m giving you a root canal.”
He shrugged. “I told you I’m not a big people person.”
I studied him. I felt like I was pretty good at reading people. I had to be in my line of work. I had to be prepared to jump in and rescue a bride that was on the verge of hysteria or a bitch fit. When I read him, I saw a guy that was uncomfortable but could be fun given the right circumstances. “You haven’t found the right people.”
“Pardon me?”
“You said you aren’t a people person. I’m saying you haven’t met the right people. I bet you could enjoy things like these if you had someone to hang out with.”
He looked amused. “Is this your professional opinion?”
“It is. Like me. I’m fun. You are talking to me.”
I saw a flash of amusement in his eyes. “I’m not sure if that’s what I would call this.”
“This?” I asked.
“This,” he said, gesturing between us. “I think you are doing the talking. I’m just here to agree.”
“I want to touch you,” I said, earning a shocked look from him.
“Uh, that’s different.”
I heard myself giggling again. I couldn’t even explain why I was laughing. It really wasn’t that funny. He was just so damn dry, it made me laugh. “I don’t want to touch you, touch you. I want to know if you are truly as prickly as you come off.”
He smirked. “Yes.”
“Yes?”
“I’m prickly. I’m a dick. I’m arrogant, aloof, introverted, and all the other words. That’s me.”
“Liar. I don’t think you are. I think you think you are. I bet you know how to have fun.”
“Maybe.” He scanned the crowd before finishing his drink and standing up straight. “I’m going to find my friend and go. I’ve had as much fun and excitement as I can handle.”
“You keep saying you came here with a friend, but I have yet to see this person. Is this a girlfriend?”
“No.”
“Why are you in such a hurry to leave?” I questioned.
He shrugged. “Because I find my own company to be far more entertaining.”
“Ah, but we have free booze.”
“Which is why my friend is here. He likes the free shit. Personally, I have much better booze at home. And I don’t have to wear a suit. I can sit around on my very comfortable couch and drink good scotch.”
I was intrigued. I didn’t know why. The man had done nothing to interest me. He had not given me even the slightest idea he might like me. In fact, he was making it very clear he would rather be anywhere else than in that room talking to me. Yet, here I was, wanting to spend more time with him. It made zero sense.
“I have an idea,” I said, pulling away from the wall and looking into his eyes.
He stared back at me. I wanted to believe I saw a hint of desire, but I couldn’t be sure. “What would that be?” he asked in a husky voice.
Yep. I had detected desire. I would use that to get what I wanted. “I have an idea about how we can get you out of that shell you are in.”
“I’m not in a shell,” he replied.
“Okay, shell isn’t the right word. Let’s soften your pricklies.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“You are a prickly beast. You use those proverbial quills to keep people away. I know how we can soften those sharp ends.”
“Why would I want to do that?”
“Because.”
“Because?” he pressed.
I didn’t have an answer. “Because it will be fun.”
Instead of telling me to take a flying leap into the ocean, he slowly nodded. “All right, what’s this grand idea?”
“Let’s go to Balboa Park. I’ll meet you there at ten tomorrow.”
He really looked confused then. I decided that was my cue to leave. I needed to leave him hanging. If I gave him t
he chance to argue, he would talk himself out of it. I wasn’t going to give him the option. I walked away without a backward glance. Curiosity was killing me, and I had to know what he was doing. I waited until I was tucked safely behind a curtain to take a peek.
He was still standing in the same spot looking very confused. Confusion was good. It was better than anger or irritation. I checked in with the caterers, made sure there was plenty of appetizers coming out, and made my usual rounds around the room.
I stopped, turned, and looked for my mystery man. I realized in that moment I never even got his name. I never gave him my name. I would probably never see him again. He didn’t shut me down, but he didn’t exactly say yes. I wasn’t sure how that made me feel. I couldn’t explain why I had any interest in him at all. I really had nothing to go on.
The guy wasn’t the kind that gave a girl the warm and fuzzies. But, as usual, I was attracted to the wrong kind of guy.
Chapter 7
Xander
I parked my BMW in the parking lot, not caring I was stuck at a spot way in the back. It was the parking lot she designated—no ordered—me to be at. I was actually on time, which surprised me a little. I couldn’t explain why I was there at all. The woman intrigued me. That was why I was there. She had challenged me. I did not turn down a challenge, especially from a beautiful woman.
I tapped my hands on the steering wheel, staring out at the cars in every size and color, and wondered once again why I was there. I shouldn’t have come. I moved to start the engine, ready to get the hell out of there when there was a knock on my driver’s side window. I nearly jumped out of my seat.
It was her. She was peering at me through the heavily tinted window. How did she know it was me? I pushed the button to roll down the window and looked at her. “Are you going to sit in your car all day? That really wasn’t what I had in mind.”
I shook my head. “No.”
“Then come on,” she said, reaching for the door handle. “I’m parked right in front of you. How crazy is that? With these windows, I never would have been able to see you. Are these even legal?”
