As Jason unlocks the door to the hotel room, he asks curiously, “Are you planning on going down to the cocktail hour and dinner?”
“Yeah, I was planning on it,” I say. “One of the people I met today wanted to chat a bit more, so I was going to spend some time with her.”
He nods. “Sounds great.”
“What about you?” I ask.
“I’ll go down and eat, but not sure what the rest of the night looks like for me.”
Twenty minutes later, we head down to the hotel bar, and I spot the woman I planned to meet up with, Penny, right away. I wave at her, and then turn to Jason. “Do you want to join us?”
He shakes his head. “Nah, I’m going to call Lennie, and grab a bite. I’ll see you back in the room.”
I nod, totally understanding that he wants to talk to his daughter. I called Presley earlier when we were in the room, and she was so excited to tell me all about the cupcakes she and my mom made today. I’m not surprised he didn’t want to eat with us, if I’m honest.
I sit down by Penny and she starts talking immediately. “Who were you with? Is that your boyfriend?”
“Oh, Jason?” I ask, turning to look back at him. He’s still looking at me as he sits down a few tables away. When he sees me looking, he darts his gaze away immediately. “No, he’s not my boyfriend. He’s a… friend? I think? It’s a long story. His brewery is contracted with the winery I’m the event planner for.”
“That’s cool,” Penny says, but something tells me she wants to dive deeper into the subject. My suspicions are correct when she continues, “He’s totally interested in you. He hasn’t stopped looking over here.”
I wave her off. “He’s not interested in me.”
Penny raises her brow, like she doesn’t believe me.
The waitress arrives at the right time, setting down full glasses of ice water, and asking for our drink orders. I take a quick glance at the menu, and order a Mojito. Not something I might usually get, but it sounds refreshing after a long day.
A full plate of nachos and two drinks later, I’m buzzed. Penny is super sweet, and I’m learning so much from her. I brought my notebook in case I wanted to take notes, and I’mglad I did. I’ve filled two pages of information. She’s been an event planner for over ten years now and has so much experience.
“Want another drink?” Penny asks as the waitress comes back to check on us.
“I think I’m good,” I respond. I don’t want to get drunk, and I certainly don’t want to lower my inhibitions more around Jason. I fear if I do, I’ll say something stupid. Brad never let me have more than two drinks, because I would lose my filter, and embarrass him.
Penny orders herself another drink, and we continue our conversation. Her eyes dart behind me for a second, and she offers someone a soft smile, before turning her attention back to me. I’m aware of someone’s presence, so I glance behind me.
A tall man stands right behind me, and when he sees me looking, he moves so he’s standing in front of me. He’s nice enough looking, with dirty blonde hair, and blue eyes, but to be honest, he looks too much like Brad, the rich, preppy kind, that I’m immediately turned away from it.
“Hey,” he greets, his voice almost nasally. “Can I buy you a drink?”
“Um,” I murmur, glancing back and forth between Penny and him. I don’t know Penny well enough to know what the look on her face means. It’s a mix of surprise and shock, something I don’t know how to interpret.
I look down at the drink currently in my palm, still half full. “I’m good. Thank you for the offer, though. That’s really kind.”
He scoffs. “You’ve almost emptied your drink. Can’t I get you another? I’d love to chat.”
I try to hold back my shock. “I’m actually in a meeting, so it’s really not a good time.”
The man glances behind him at Penny, who awkwardly holds her hand up in a wave.
“When you’re done then.” He doesn’t phrase it as a question, and that in itself pisses me off. This man reminds me of Brad in more ways than one, especially with his refusal to take no for an answer.
“Really, I’m not interested,” I say, hoping this way he finally takes the hint.
“Come on, sweet cheeks,” he murmurs, bending down so he’s at eye level. I can smell the liquor on his breath, and that, along with the pet name, is disgusting. “You know you want to. Ditch your friend. I can show you the time of your life. I’m sure good dick is hard for you to come by, and all you need to do is get a drink with me.”
God, I really hate men sometimes.Anger begins to fuel through my body, and as I’m about to rip him a new one, a low, grumbly voice sounds from behind me.
18
