Page 12 of I'm Looking for a Man in Finance
The hand gripping my chest slowly eased as I realized maybe Ihadn’tstuck my foot in my mouth. With renewed confidence, I reached for my glass of wine. “Well, I have a pros and cons list. I have to give credit where credit is due,” I admitted, giving him a playful shrug. “Typically, they dress well, and they have a finger on the pulse of the NYC food scene. Not to mention the free financial advice.”
There was never a doubt that I would see a finance bro at the newest restaurant that I was reviewing, or a group of them, all carbon copies of each other—the same Rolex shining on their wrists, the same slicked-back hairstyle, the same loafers, and the same five expensive suit brands that they always circulated.
“But between their 401(k) talk, the constant scrutiny of credit scores, or the way they think a fancy watch makes them interesting, it’s hard to choose a top choice. I’d rather eat plain bagels for the rest of my life than listen to another round of ‘what’s your net worth?’”
James smirked. “You’ve really thought that out, haven’t you?”
“Of course,” I said, the tension in my shoulders loosening. “It’s the most predictable thing in the city. They’re all the same.”
“And yet, you still need them to get your dream job,” James said, his tone almost teasing now.
“Well, yeah. Sometimes you’ve got to play the game.” Despite James’s interest in the conversation, the flash of his signet ring on the stem of his wineglass reminded me how different the two of us were. While I was rambling about a ridiculous article that I wouldn’t have even chosen to write, I did not know what this man did. But before I could ask, James was already carrying along the conversation.
“And what exactly is the goal this article is getting you to?” Being the center of his attention was like a lightning strike to my body; every nerve ending was on fire and I wanted nothing more than to remain in his spotlight.
“Sophisticateis well regarded in the food industry. The kinds of opportunities that would open for me, I couldn’t get them anywhere else. It’s my dream company to work for.”
“So this is all a means to an end?” James supplied.
I nodded. “Exactly. If this finance bro article helps me slip that final puzzle piece into place, then so be it. At thevery least, I’ll have a few dates and some nice dinners out of it on their dime.”
“Even if, as you said, you do not intend to really date these men, and you’d just be stringing them along?”
“They’re big boys. They can take it. Surely they have to be to work in such a money-hungry, cutthroat world? Honestly, I see this as payback for how often I hear about a man in finance treating a girl poorly.” I gave him a one-shouldered shrug. “What about you? What do you do?”
But before he could answer, his phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his pocket, glancing at the notifications on his screen. Already the party felt slightly dimmer without his gaze on me.
“I’m sorry, it looks like I have some fires I need to put out.” James stood up from his seat, leaving me to stare after him in confusion as he made his way toward Michelle and Elliot. One second, he was sitting next to me, enraptured by our conversation, the next he was breezing toward the exit.
“You’re not staying for a night cap?” I heard Elliot ask.
“Duty calls,” James replied.
Was he a doctor? That would explain the expensive clothing. He must be like a neurosurgeon.
James hugged Elliot and gave Michelle a kiss on the cheek, then headed for the stairs without sparing a glance in my direction.
“Hey, are you okay?” Roxie leaned forward into my view to grab my attention. It was what I loved most about her. We could be in a crowded room like this, and she’d never fail to notice when I was slipping away, retreatinginto myself, caught up with that voice in my head as it berated me.
I kept my eyes fixed on the staircase where James had just vanished, my chances of seeing him again fading. “I guess I’m a little surprised he didn’t ask me for my number.”
Roxie pointed her fork at me. “I thought the two of you were really hitting it off.”
“So did I,” I said.
Roxie shrugged nonchalantly before eyeing the tiramisu on the plate of the person sitting next to her. “He probably has a girlfriend or something.”
“Maybe.” I swirled the remaining wine in my glass.
I told myself it was just a fleeting connection, one that didn’t mean anything. But I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that it might have been something special. Something rare that I’d never get the chance to explore.
4
James
Well, that was disappointing.
I really thought there was a spark between Hallie and me tonight. A spark I couldn’t ignore.
