Read Online The Last Single Girl by Caitie Quinn, Bria Quinlan - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Caitie Quinn, Bria Quinlan
Tags: Romance, Literature & Fiction, Contemporary, Short-Story, Romantic Comedy, Anthologies, Collections & Anthologies, Holidays, ro, online dating, New Year's Eve
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Nothing would be different. I would not act like a complete idiot.
Or, at least, that's what I'd been telling myself all the way over.
Inside, Abby and John were cleaning out the brewers, getting ready for their early close.
"Hey guys." I stood back, afraid to approach. I didn't want them to see how nervous I was. All it would take was one of Abby's comments and I was dead in the water.
"You're here." John climbed down off his step ladder to come around the counter. "Let's see your Roaring Twenties look."
Sadly, I'd put a lot of thought into this. When Claire had suggested the dinner months ago, I'd been excited to go just for the excuse to buy a flapper dress. And since I was going to crash and burn on every other level tonight, I went all out—the dress, the shoes, the beads. I'd even had my hair and make-up done. The stylist had tucked my hair so it looked like I'd gotten a bob.
I was looking pretty good if I did say so myself.
"Did you cut your hair?" He looked a bit shocked. Or maybe it just reminded him he hadn't had his cut in a few months.
"No, it's just the way it's done."
"Oh. Good. You look great. Are you carrying a flask in your garter?"
"A girl never tells these things." I gave him a wink, figuring if I just hammed it up I'd stop feeling like I was going to confess my newfound feelings any second.
"Did you decide to borrow a guy from your friend Jane?"
Even I was surprised at the laugh that rushed out of me. "Nope. I decided instead to deal with Claire and just get over her. And it."
"Good for you." John glanced toward Abby, probably to make sure no snide comments were coming my way. "So, tell me, where is this party?"
"It's in the ballroom at the historic house over on Lake."
"I've always wanted to see it. We had a corporate event there, but I was stuck at work." He shook his head, probably remembering, then glanced around the shop. "Man, I totally love my life now."
It took everything in me not to ask if it was because of his new girlfriend.
Back on topic.
"Getting to see the house is part of the reason I wanted to go. I hear they have an awesome private gallery. Maybe I can get a security guard drunk and flirt my way in."
"I'm sure you could do it. Or you could just give him your card and ask to see it. Probably less police involved that way."
"Oh, John. Always the voice of reason."
"It's true. A burden I have to carry throughout my days." He wiped his hands on the ever present towel and nodded his head toward the counter. "Want some tea? You're running a little early, aren't you?"
"I can't. I promised to stop by work after I was dressed. They're having a New Year's Eve event. We're renting the space out, so I don't have to work it, but they wanted me to just come in and make sure everything was going like it should."
"They're going to love your new look."
"I'm tempted to buy a few more. Maybe I can bring the beaded mini-dress back."
I stood there, grinning up at him like an idiot—noticing his hair and his dimple and the freckles on the bridge of his nose and the flecks of green surprising me in his brown eyes. Just noticing.
"So…" John's eyebrows lifted, probably in an unspoken Why are you looking at me like that? Please stop and back away quirk.
"Right. So, I should get to work. And then off to face the vultures."
"It's going to be fine." He sounded so sure.
"I wish I had your confidence."
"It's easy to be confident. I've watched you handle everything short of a natural disaster with all those dates. If you could get through those, then tonight is going to be a piece of cake."
When put like that, I almost believed him.
Now it was just a matter of embracing my singleness and telling Claire where she could put her cat claws.
FOURTEEN
DATING TRUTH #9: I am woman, hear me roar. That's right, do not tick me off.
WHILE MY CAB WAITED its turn, I watched the line ahead of me as one made-up person after another climbed out and handed over their keys or paid off the
Or, at least, that's what I'd been telling myself all the way over.
Inside, Abby and John were cleaning out the brewers, getting ready for their early close.
"Hey guys." I stood back, afraid to approach. I didn't want them to see how nervous I was. All it would take was one of Abby's comments and I was dead in the water.
"You're here." John climbed down off his step ladder to come around the counter. "Let's see your Roaring Twenties look."
Sadly, I'd put a lot of thought into this. When Claire had suggested the dinner months ago, I'd been excited to go just for the excuse to buy a flapper dress. And since I was going to crash and burn on every other level tonight, I went all out—the dress, the shoes, the beads. I'd even had my hair and make-up done. The stylist had tucked my hair so it looked like I'd gotten a bob.
I was looking pretty good if I did say so myself.
"Did you cut your hair?" He looked a bit shocked. Or maybe it just reminded him he hadn't had his cut in a few months.
"No, it's just the way it's done."
"Oh. Good. You look great. Are you carrying a flask in your garter?"
"A girl never tells these things." I gave him a wink, figuring if I just hammed it up I'd stop feeling like I was going to confess my newfound feelings any second.
"Did you decide to borrow a guy from your friend Jane?"
Even I was surprised at the laugh that rushed out of me. "Nope. I decided instead to deal with Claire and just get over her. And it."
"Good for you." John glanced toward Abby, probably to make sure no snide comments were coming my way. "So, tell me, where is this party?"
"It's in the ballroom at the historic house over on Lake."
"I've always wanted to see it. We had a corporate event there, but I was stuck at work." He shook his head, probably remembering, then glanced around the shop. "Man, I totally love my life now."
It took everything in me not to ask if it was because of his new girlfriend.
Back on topic.
"Getting to see the house is part of the reason I wanted to go. I hear they have an awesome private gallery. Maybe I can get a security guard drunk and flirt my way in."
"I'm sure you could do it. Or you could just give him your card and ask to see it. Probably less police involved that way."
"Oh, John. Always the voice of reason."
"It's true. A burden I have to carry throughout my days." He wiped his hands on the ever present towel and nodded his head toward the counter. "Want some tea? You're running a little early, aren't you?"
"I can't. I promised to stop by work after I was dressed. They're having a New Year's Eve event. We're renting the space out, so I don't have to work it, but they wanted me to just come in and make sure everything was going like it should."
"They're going to love your new look."
"I'm tempted to buy a few more. Maybe I can bring the beaded mini-dress back."
I stood there, grinning up at him like an idiot—noticing his hair and his dimple and the freckles on the bridge of his nose and the flecks of green surprising me in his brown eyes. Just noticing.
"So…" John's eyebrows lifted, probably in an unspoken Why are you looking at me like that? Please stop and back away quirk.
"Right. So, I should get to work. And then off to face the vultures."
"It's going to be fine." He sounded so sure.
"I wish I had your confidence."
"It's easy to be confident. I've watched you handle everything short of a natural disaster with all those dates. If you could get through those, then tonight is going to be a piece of cake."
When put like that, I almost believed him.
Now it was just a matter of embracing my singleness and telling Claire where she could put her cat claws.
FOURTEEN
DATING TRUTH #9: I am woman, hear me roar. That's right, do not tick me off.
WHILE MY CAB WAITED its turn, I watched the line ahead of me as one made-up person after another climbed out and handed over their keys or paid off the
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