Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
As for us, we’ve been better than ever, taking the time to meet not only at his office, but to go to his place for more private, longer dates. And we don’t only rip each other’s clothes off. We talk, we share… we’re something I never would’ve dreamed we’d become…
A couple.
It might not be splashed across the front page of the paper, and neither of us is making any public declarations, but for us, it’s very real and very serious. Honestly, Dylan probably would stand up on the conference table at work and make an announcement if I was okay with it, but I’m trying to maintain some sense of discretion.
Which is why tonight’s a big deal. This will be our first official, public outing as a couple, and I’m proud to be at Dylan’s side as he meets my friends.
Vince stops the car at the curb, and there’s a knock on the door a moment before it’s opened by a man in black slacks, a black Polo, and black sunglasses even though it’s well after dark. He holds his hand out, helping me from the car, and then Dylan joins me as the luxury car pulls away behind us.
In front of us is a wall of horizontal wide-plank wood paneling that’s broken up by a pair of soaring double doors with black iron bar handles that are nearly as tall as I am. The sign above the awning reads Los Ingobernables.
Dylan holds the door open for me, and inside, I tell the hostess that we’re here for the Ami Rossman birthday party. She leads us across the large space, expertly dodging white tablecloth-covered tables, a dance floor with only a few people on it at this early hour, and a bar surrounded by people. “Here’s the rest of your group,” she says as she opens a velvet rope to allow us access to the private VIP space, but Ami’s already spotted us.
“Raven! You made it!” Ami squeals happily as she beelines directly for me. She wraps me in a tight hug, jerking me from side to side. “And you brought him! Bring it in, birthday girls get all the hugs.” She holds her arms out wide.
Dylan glances at me, a little unsure and a bit amused at Ami’s exuberance, but when I don’t react, he gives Ami a polite hug that’s over faster than a blink. “Nice to formally meet you, Ami. I’ve heard a lot about you. Most of it good,” he jokes.
Ami beams and swats at him. “You don’t want to know all the things I’ve heard about you. They are definitely not good.” She laughs, certainly a drink or two in.
He chuckles while I glare at Ami, fighting back a grin. “Shut up!”
“What?” she says, feigning innocence. She spies a waiter passing by with a tray of golden-fried mini-muffin-looking hors d'oeuvres and points. “Those are little bites of heaven. I don’t know what they are, but I’ve had like five of them already and I’m going for number six. Excuse me.”
She chases after the waiter, her cream sundress fluttering behind her as she goes, and I’m pretty sure she actually grabs two or three of whatever the heavenly bites are.
Hand in hand, Dylan and I work our way around the room. His fingers intertwine with mine, and when he gives me a squeeze, I look up at him. I can’t help all the emotions that flood through me. We say hi to Maggie, meet some of Ami’s work friends, and I introduce Dylan to Ami’s parents and then Maggie’s parents and brother, Robert. He’s charming in his own rough way, complimenting Melinda’s dress and making business small talk with John before asking about Robert’s schooling.
I’ve met Maggie’s brother dozens of times over the years, and each time, he has a new obsession with a time period he’s mid-deep dive into for his master’s degree in history. I’ve heard lengthy lessons on everything from Queen Victoria to the Cold War. Based on the nearly full TED talk about the Korean War he’s giving us tonight, that must be his latest. And though I lose interest quickly and resort to polite Mmmhmms while fighting with my eyelids, Dylan listens intently and asks thoughtful questions that Robert seems to appreciate until Maggie intervenes.
“Robbie, it’s a party, not a lecture. Let them go,” she teases in a way only a sibling can do.
Robert startles and then grins. “Sorry, I get a little lost in my work.”
“I completely understand. I do the same thing,” Dylan replies with an amicable smile of his own. “If you want to hear about mineralogy mining laws in Nevada, let me know. It’s a recent project I’ve been learning a lot about.”
Maggie pulls Robert away, and we continue our way around the room, mingling here, chatting there, and having a good time. We even confirm that those hors d'oeuvres Ami was obsessing over are indeed heavenly.