Page 65 of One Night Only
“And then what happened?”
I snap my eyes to the front of the room, remembering to smile as Suzie continues with her story.
“Well, by that stage, everything that could have gone wrong had gone wrong,” she says to polite laughter. “So eventually he gave up trying to be romantic. He asked and I said yes.”
“Let’s see it again, Suzie!” One of the assistants calls. Suzie smiles indulgently as she holds out her hand, making sure every corner of the room gets a chance to look at her engagement ring.
“I hate this.”
Will appears beside me, holding an untouched glass of the knockoff champagne we keep under the office sink. I’ve already had half a bottle. I need it to get through this.
“I hate her,” he continues. “I hate this cheap grape juice and I hate being in the office past closing time.”
“You’re just jealous.”
“And I hate that ugly ring,” Will adds.
“Would you shut up?” We’re standing at the back of the room, right next to our cubicle, but there are still people nearby. Harvey requires the whole office to show their face at these things. Birthdays, promotions, engagements. They all get the same treatment: small plastic cups, pastries from Breads Bakery down the block and strained smiles from people who either want to go home or get back to work.
“Itisugly,” he says, conversationally. “Tiny too.”
I choke on my cheap grape juice.
Suzie laughs loudly and smiles as someone takes a picture.
I didn’t think it was possible but Will’s expression sours even further. “You know she was the one who left those Post-it notes in the kitchen.”
“The ones about the yogurt? I thought that was Hannah?”
“Definitely Suzie. She does a little swish on hery’s.”
“Alright, Sherlock Holmes.”
“One time in a meeting she saw me put an office pen into my bag and she told me to put it back in front of everyone. Why is Matthias staring at you?”
“Huh?” I glance to where Matthias stands, talking to Harvey. “He hasn’t looked at me once.”
“Yeah, I lied.”
Mother of— “Are you having fun?” I ask sharply. “Annoying me like this?”
“It’s the only thing that gets me through the day. What are the odds she’ll invite Harvey to the wedding? She’s the type of person who’ll invite her boss and no one else.” He raises a brow. “Twenty?”
“Ten,” I mutter. “I’m broke after Ireland.”
“Deal. You’re no fun tonight.”
“Then why don’t you talk to someone else?”
“Because you’re the only one I can stand.”
“I don’t know whether to be flattered or worried.”
“A little of both would be right.” He holds out his cup. “Drink this.”
“Why? Are you pregnant?”
“No.” He widens his eyes. “But I bet you Suzie is.”
