Steve: How long is this interview gonna take? I hope they’re paying you for this time. You’re late.
I had ignored the last five of his messages so I could focus on Casey’s instruction. The butterflies kicked in. Holy shit. I was officially an employed professional. I was so excited; I didn’t care that Steve hadn’t bothered to congratulate me after I quickly messaged him to tell him I had landed the job. Though I chose not to mention that Ihadn’t exactly gotten the programmer position I had hoped for.
“That’s him now.” I flashed her the screen as proof.
“Next time.” She offered me a genuine smile. “Go celebrate with your boyfriend. We’ll catch up next time I’m Stateside. Declan landed earlier today. I need to make sure his condo is ready.”
“Oh, do you need help with that?” Steve would hate me for bailing on him, but this job was too important.
“No. I got it. I promise. You go on ahead.”
“Okay. Have a good weekend. And safe travels.” I shouldered my computer bag and darted out of Declan’s fancy corner office.
Out in the lobby, I made my way to the bathroom to get ready for a night out with Steve. I hadn’t seen him all week. Spending Thursday night with him was exactly what I needed. I had met Steve my senior year in college. We started dating exclusively after our second date, and now he practically lived with me in my Brooklyn apartment. When the thought entered my head, I stopped midway with my high heel in hand.
Omigod. I dropped my shoe and covered my mouth. Today was our year anniversary. Was that why Steve was being so pushy to get me out of the office? Why was he taking me to an exclusive nightclub? Holy shit, was he going to propose today? I glanced upward. The universe was finally delivering on the husband front.
Someone up there was really watching out for me. Everything was finally coming together. All my hard work had paid off. I had a great job, a soon-to-be husband, and access to my half-sister. I now knew beyond ashadow of a doubt that Louisa and I would be best friends before the end of the year, or by the time I married Steve.
I beamed at my reflection in the bathroom mirror and quickly re-touched my makeup. When I finished, another message popped into my screen.
Steve: If you don’t leave now, I’m going without you.
I laughed because his gig was so up.
Me: Okay. I’m ready. Where to?
Steve: I’ll pick you up.
I typed the address to Windsor Financial Holdings and hit send. He responded immediately to say he was already in Manhattan and on his way to me.
“Perfect,” I said to the screen, grinning.
Steve’s Uber car arrived twenty minutes later. My heart beat a little faster as I climbed in the car and the scent of his cologne crowded my senses. He looked so cute with his wet hair combed back like that. Usually, he let his unruly locks do whatever.
I made to scoot over and sit closer to him, but he leaned forward and started giving the driver directions. My pulse settled after that. Steve always acted distant when he was nervous about something, like a presentation at work, a new client, or a proposal. I smiled at my hands, then let my gaze shift to him. He wore jeans and a heather-gray T-shirt that made his blue eyes stand out.
“I thought you said the nightclub was a sort of fancy place.” I gestured toward the black cocktail dress, a sexy number I had packed last night when he told me about the invitation he’d received.
“It is.” He furrowed his brows at me then glanced down at his pants. “What does it matter what I wear?”
“I guess it doesn’t.” I shrugged, not wanting to pick up a fight with him tonight of all nights.
We rode in silence for almost ten minutes before he leaned forward again and tapped on the driver’s shoulder. “What’s taking so long?”
“Traffic,” the driver deadpanned.
“Is that the line to get in?” He craned his neck to see up ahead.
“I think so.” I unbuckled my seatbelt to get a better look.
The high rise ahead of us took up the entire block. At the very top, looming over the scene below it, was a huge sign that read Crucible. The red bright letters seemed to cast a carmine glow on everything.
People spilled out onto the street while lights circled across the sky and the building itself. I couldn’t tell if the crowd was there waiting to join the party inside or if this was the actual party. The beat of the music drummed against my chest.
“This place looks amazing.”
“I know.” Steve took my hand. “We’re walking the rest of the way.”
