puts her phone in her purse and heads over to kiss my cheek. “You’ve stopped drinking the poison and finally seen the light.” She pushes me out the door and shuts it firmly behind me.
I blink a few times at the shut door, then spin on my heel and get the hell out of there.
I don’t call August or even go to his place. Even though I would love to have another taste of him. Instead, I go to the bar. A few of my work colleagues are having drinks, and usually, I turn them down. Being the owner’s daughter of the business that, one day, will be mine—which I might add isn’t forced because I love what I do—I’ve never interacted outside of business with any of the employees because my father never does.
I spot Shandy first. She is also an accountant. She takes on the small-scale business clientele while only a few of us handle the larger accounts, my father and I handling the biggest. She turns, and her fiery red hair swings when she does. Shandy is one of the only people in the office who’s my age.
“Rylee, you made it. Holy shit.” She pulls me in for a one-arm hug, “What’s your poison? I’m a gin girl, myself.”
“I’ll have the same.”
“Awesome.” I stand behind her as she orders, and when she’s finished with the bartender, she turns straight back to me. “I never thought you’d actually come, but I always invite you just in case you change your mind. I’m so happy you’re here.”
My cheeks start to heat as I pull my handbag up higher on my shoulder. “Thanks. Yeah, I had no plans this evening… so thought, why not.” She smiles and hands me my drink and nods over to where there are a few of the other staff sitting around a table.
“Come… they’re in big talks about paranormal right now. Do not even ask me how we got onto this subject.” She laughs as she takes a seat and nods for me to sit next to her.
“Rylee, wow! Didn’t expect to see you here,” Benji says next to me.
I give him a small gracious smile and bring my drink to my lips.
“Hey, aren’t you usually always with your boyfriend?” Harrison asks. This is a man who should really be at home with his wife. A man who, if I remember correctly, has just had a baby.
“How’s your wife?” I ask.
Someone laughs, and I turn to Shandy.
“Werewolves don’t actually turn into wolves,” one of them says, going back to their conversation. “And vampires don’t actually fly.”
Benji leans forward, his face serious. “They do fly if they are old enough. And, of course, they turn into wolves. It’s where they got the name. Come on, what planet are you living on?”
I listen, sipping my drink, quietly thinking what the hell are they discussing, when someone taps me on my shoulder. Spinning around to a man I don’t recognize at all, I can’t help but narrow my eyes.
“Hey, you’re August’s friend, right?”
Okay, that’s weird.
“No,” I answer, then turn away to gather my thoughts. Shandy is watching the dude intently, and I notice a slight head shake, which I have no idea what that means.
“How about a drink?” he asks.
“She said no,” Shandy replies for me, her lips are thinned as she glares.
I glance around the table—the others are not paying any attention as they fight about werewolves.
“I only want to talk. No beef, lady.” When I turn around to him again, he’s studying me. “It’s nice to meet you, Rylee. I’m Josh. Tell August I said hi.” He winks and then walks out of the bar.
Umm, okay.
“That was weird. Did you know him?” Shandy asks, her eyes firmly set on the exit.
“No. Not at all.”
“He probably recognized you from somewhere. I bet you get that a lot.” She taps her glass to mine and turns back to the conversation.
Okay, is that strange too?
I reach for my phone and message August.
Someone said to say hi. Josh… do you know him?
I wait, and when he doesn’t respond, I put my phone on my lap and join in the conversation. Shandy’s nice, and she starts discussing her private life. She lives by herself, and her family has a house in a different state, so everyone she’s met has been from work, as she moved specifically for the job.
My phone beeps in my lap as we stand to get a second drink, and I glance down, reading the message.
Where are you?
No