Page 26 of Crystal Iris
Aside from my anxiety, I sleep well; I miss my bed. It’s lumpy and small, yet my body fits perfectly in the indentations.
Stanley’s is only a block away from Lara and Aaron’s office. I’ve been here a few times waiting for Aaron.
I order a vanilla latte and take a seat by the window. I hope Aaron is too busy to walk anywhere today. I don’t want him catching me with his coworker.
“How are you?” Lara is wearing a tailored cream suit with a blue blouse underneath. Her silky long blonde hair falls over her shoulders.
“I’m good, how are you?”
“I’m good, a little stressed. I’m sure you know all about the stuff we’re dealing with in the office. Everyone is going crazy.”
I pretend I do.
I gesture for her to order something first before sitting down.
She comes back with an iced coffee and sits next to me. “I’m curious why you needed to meet in person. Everything okay?”
“Yes, yes, nothing serious… It’s this friend of mine, Akira—she was at my birthday, not sure if you remember her.”
“Colorful hair girl?”
“Yep, that’s her.”
“What about her?”
“Well, she met a guy at the office gala; you weren’t there… Aaron doesn’t know him, and I just wanted to know… if he is, you know, decent. She’s my best friend and has a tendency of… making bad choices… if you know what I mean.”
“What’s his name?”
“Hoyt, I don’t know his last name.”
“Hoyt Locklear?” Her expression isn’t what I expect. “Rugged, tall, strong, green eyes?”
“That’s him,” I say, butterflies in my stomach.
“Seems like your friend does have an eye for the lousy ones.”
“Why is that?” I ask, not wanting to hear her next words.
“He’s known for not… settling down. Every party, he brings a new girl. His dad got sick, and he took over the business a while back.”
“I see. Do you know him?”
“I know of him. He lives in the country, I think; his dad was known to own a lot of land.”
“Well, I’m glad I asked then. I would hate for her to… waste her time.”
“Yeah, sure. I’d suggest she stay away, especially with so many good guys around here.” She winks at me.
Did she think…?She knows there’s no friend.I blush with embarrassment; she works with Aaron…
She reads my face. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
“I wasn’t planning on doing… anything.”
“None of my business anyway. Perhaps I’m being a little selfish, but… I like having a friend at those parties.” She takes another sip of her coffee.
“Thanks for coming, I don’t even know…”
