Page 26 of Her Ruin

“Variety is the spice of life,” I quipped. “I’m keeping you on your toes.” The awkwardness faded, and as we fell into our usual easy banter, I relaxed slightly. After twenty minutes on the phone, I felt better. Even though he didn’t know what the reason was, he had inadvertently made me feel better.

I also knew I was procrastinating. Recognizing this, I did what any person would do if they didn’t know what to wear. I went to find Monica.

She was at her desk with at least six different shades of pink ribbon strewn around her. She looked up when I lightly knocked on her door.

“Tell me which one is Sunset Cloud?” she pleaded desperately.

Crossing the room, I stood at the desk and plucked the only shade of pink with a hint of lilac “Sunset Cloud.”

Monica grabbed it like a lifeline. “Gender reveal,” she explained. “Whatever happened to baby pink and baby blue?”

“Wider options and open minds.”

She rolled her eyes, but she carefully focused on rolling the ribbon. “Apart from knowing pink shades of ribbon, did you need me?”

I was distracted by the blue ribbons. “Do you know the reveal?” I didn’t want to ask if she knew what she was doing because that would be rude, but I couldn’t help but be curious about why the blue heap of various shades of ribbon remained at her elbow.

“No. The father’s sister is keeping a tight lid on it; she’s only telling me the moment before the reveal.” Monica pointed at the baskets I hadn’t noticed at the side of the office. “I have to do everything twice.”

“But the whole point of…” I saw Monica’s flat look and bit my tongue. “Sorry,” I commiserated.

“It’s fine. Their money, not mine.” She shrugged. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” I forced a smile. “I have a question. What’s club wear for Thursday night?”

Monica’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Are youfinallygoing to Elixir?”

“No!” It was reflexive. It was automatic. It was instantly regrettable. “No. I, um, was wondering. I…I have a date.” What the actual fuck? Where the hell did that come from?

“Julian?”

What?” No! Why does everyone keep asking me if I’m dating Julian?” I snapped.

“Because the fact you don’t sleep together is weird.”

I felt myself gag. “The thought of sleeping with him is…gah!” I shuddered. “No. Not Julian. Just a guy I met. I…” I looked down at my sharp, professional attire. “Are Thursdays chic casual or just casual?”

“You’re an event planner.” Monica looked appalled at my question.

“Exactly, I planevents. I don’tattendevents as a guest.” Which was true. I stayed in a suit for all my clients’ events. The staff needed to know whom to approach if there was an issue. The events I planned for Thursdays were never in clubs, or if they were, they were parties. Not just turn up at a club on a whim; they were events. Functions.

Oh God, was I out of touch? Or worse…old?

Monica was looking me over. “Short skirt, flirty blouse, preferably semi-see-through, or low-cut cami, and your good lingerie.”

“It’s a first date.”

She looked confused. “Well, if it goes well…”

“It won’t.” Seeing her eyebrows disappear in her hairline, I hastily backtracked. “Not that kind of date, yet.”

Yet? Please shut up, Isla.

“Anyway, thanks for your help.” I didn’t give Monica a chance to respond. I was already hurrying away.

See-through blouses? No. Never. Nine p.m. was hardly the pulse of the evening. I would be fine with what I was wearing. I did not need to make an effort to see Zayn. The idea was preposterous.

With my mind fully made up, I returned to my work and tried not to focus on meeting him later.

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