around us means what should have stayed private comes out more like a shout, but I don’t care. “He’s so handsome and maddening and…and mean!” I point at Brandy. “Then, my asshat blind date stood me up. I didn’t even want to go out with this guy, you know? I really didn’t. I wasn’t into it, but I agreed anyway.”
The bartender stands a few feet away, talking with a group of ladies who can’t seem to make up their mind on their order. “Get a Grinch!” I shout, trying to be helpful but also hurry this along.
I need a refill.
Brandy opens her mouth to interrupt, but I hold up a hand to stop her. I’m on a roll, and the buzz in my veins means there is no longer any filter.
“I thought to myself, Blaire, give it a shot. You never know what could happen. It’s the season of miracles after all, right? Anything is possible!”
I used to think so, anyway.
Dad always said that anything can happen around Christmas, but this year it seems like it’s just punching me in the gut.
I wobble in my heels just a bit, but Brandy catches my arm to steady me.
It should be a sign to stop my drinking and my rant, but I can’t seem to rein it in.
“If that wasn’t bad enough, Archie just had to be there to witness my humiliation. It was so embarrassing.”
God, the look on his stupid beautiful face when he realized he’d hurt me as the elevator door closed. Pity? Remorse?
I wanted to punch him and kiss him at the same time. “He made fun of my sweaters, Brandy. How could anyone make fun of my love for Christmas?” I pout, sticking out my bottom lip. “Archie did. You know why?” I throw my finger in the air as it dawns on me.
It all makes sense now, or maybe, it’s just all the alcohol in these Grinches catching up to me.
The irony of my drink of choice tonight isn’t lost on me.
“Archie is a Grinch! He hates anything that makes me happy! He even acted surprised that I had a date tonight. I can get a date. I’m not entirely hideous, or well, I thought that was true. Jokes on me though, huh?” I sigh at how pathetic I sound, even to my own ears.
And that damn bartender still hasn’t come over.
“How can you deny me this?” I tap my glass again.
The bartender’s head turns my way, so I shake my glass at him. “Hey, buddy. I need this!”
Brandy pushes my arm down. “Blaire, I’m sorry you’re upset, but is it really because this stranger stood you up?”
No, no, it’s not.
She sighs and continues, “Or is it because of something else. More like someone else. Perhaps like your boss?”
I shake my head vigorously. “No. It has nothing to do with Archimedes Warren.”
Not his beautiful eyes or handsome face. Not even the jolt that runs through my body at the slightest touch from him. No, not all. It’s not this stupid unrequited crush.
Nope. Definitely not.
“It’s been a tough week,” I mumble.
I can’t even figure out exactly why I’m this upset. It’s not like me to let anything having to do with a guy throw me so much.
Surely, it’s just typical work stress, right?
Shit, who am I kidding?
Archie is a part of why I’m feeling sorry for myself tonight, but I’ll only let him be a very small part because no matter what I may think or feel toward my boss, he is a lost cause.
There’s nothing, not one thing that will ever come from this crush. Brandy looks over my shoulder, then her focus returns to me, and a huge smile appears on her lips. “So, you don’t care about Archie? Not at all? Even if he were here, right now, you wouldn’t be concerned in the slightest?”
“No. I definitely would not.”
She drops her head back and laughs.
“What the hell is so funny? It’s not like he’d ever show up to this type of party, anyway.” I wave my hand around at everyone dressed in ugly sweaters, each as wonderfully hideous as the next.
This isn’t his vibe at all.
Brandy grabs my arm and squeezes. “Blaire, look at the door.”
I turn my head, and the empty Grinch glass I’ve been clinging to for dear life slips from my hand. Oh, my God!
“Is that…is that who I think it is?”
Archie stands at the door, scanning the room, mostly blocked from my view by the crowd of revelers.
Is he here for