"What? Sorry... I wasn't paying attention..." I brought myself back with an effort. The worries in my thoughts were clearly getting the best of me.
"I said, why aren't you taking a small break from all of this? Go on Tinder... Find a real man with real blue eyes and... you know, have some fun. Some bedroom fun!" Maia smirked.
"I can’t, sweetie. I don’t think I can fully give my attention to any man right now. I’d just be doing both of us a disservice."
"Yeah, ok, that makes sense. I mean, something serious might not be on the cards for you right now. Meeting those dreamy blue eyes might have stay in your dreams then."
"Stop laughing at me!” I floundered to change the subject, since I didn’t want to talk about men anymore. “I suppose I should spend the afternoon writing more proposals. There are still a couple of sponsors I have on the list... I just don't know how they will react... Anyway, we have both resolved not to give up on this. I kind of have no choice as it is. So, I'll go get on it right now."
"Fair enough,” Maia nodded. “That paperwork and all, will they still be there tomorrow?"
"Yes, I just want to take advantage of this time and resolve most of it.”
“You’ll solve it tomorrow,” Maia’s voice gave no room for arguments. “The party’s at seven, so I'm coming right to your door to pick you up at six. Be ready.”
“Maia?”
“That’s all I’m saying about the matter,” she said and got up from our small table. I immediately chased after her, circling around the two TikTok boys.
“Maia?” I called out again when she was about to open her car door.
“No excuses, Ella. I’m not letting you out of this one.”
I immediately swallowed words in my throat and joined her in the car. I saw the smile on my face in the mirror.
Maybe this party would be good for me. I really should let my hair down and enjoy life a bit more.
I rested in the upholstery while Maia drove into the New York traffic.
CHAPTER 2
- ELLA -
“Wow!”
I couldn’t have stopped the exclamation when I stepped into the party scene. The party was exclusive, and we’d come in with the codes that Maia’s Tinder guy had provided. About two dozen people were milling around already.
Everyone was in something expensive - a shiny new dress or a tuxedo that spelled affluence. The Deejay had a sweet melody drifting through the busy atmosphere. I gently weaved my way through the crowd of people alongside Maia. Champagne-bearing waiters glided past us, and I picked up a glass to join in the party mood. Maia and I stood in the corner of the room chatting. I could notice her distraction as her eyes danced across the room. Eventually, she got what she was looking for.
A tall, handsome man who seemed to be in his early thirties approached us. “Hello, Maia?”
Maia’s face changed into a wide smile. “Well, you look like your picture.”
The guy’s eyebrows rose. “Is that a compliment?”
“Do you think it is?” Maia countered, leaning towards him.
I cleared my throat loudly to indicate my awareness of their flirting.
“Oh. I’m sorry,” Maia started. “Meet Ella, my friend and partner.”
“Hi, Ella. I’m Milton.”
After the quick introductions, Milton offered his hand and led Maia out onto the dance floor.
I stood idle by the corner for a few minutes, feeling the music and the atmosphere as my eyes glanced around the crowded room. I smiled at the sight of Maia twirling in Milton’s arms, and my eyes moved away from the dance floor across the room. As I did, a tall man who’d been talking to a group of people turned around towards me.
A pair of striking blue eyes caught me and stayed on me. I felt electric shivers rushing through my body.