Beside You

Chapter 10

Friday evening, at six o'clock, I am standing in front of my vanity and looking at my makeup collection. I try to decide what makeup look Luke would like best. I keep finding myself thinking about him. 

Fuck, I shouldn't care what he thinks. 

I didn't see him much at work today. I was stuck in my office making phone calls and scheduling appointments.

I decide to go with a dark, smoky eye look and bright red lipstick. This is the first time I've worn this lip color, but I actually like it. I put on the dress and slip into my heels. My eyes focus on my stomach, gosh I wish I was thinner. I start to doubt myself and question if I should even go to the party. Who am I kidding? Luke would never want to date me. He probably wants a girl with a smaller waist and bigger boobs. What am I even talking about? This isn't about Luke and I. 

The reason I am going is to make connections at this party, and that's what matters most. I finish curling my hair and head out the door. I put the address in my phone and find that it's a fifteen minute walk away. I start walking a little quicker. I don't want to be late.

Fifteen minutes later, I am standing in front of what looks like a nightclub. This can't be right. I hurriedly grab my phone and call Jess and tell her where I'm at.

Laughing, she says, "Girl, you're at the right place. It's not some fancy event hall; it's a club." I can't believe this. She seems to read my mind and says, "Get used to it, a lot of the social aspects of the entertainment industry are spent in clubs or bars or places like that." She does have a point. I hang up the phone and head towards the door, expecting the worst.

The bouncer outside the club lets me right in without asking for ID. Inside, it's dark, but there are some blue lights lit throughout the room. There's a bar along the farthest wall and booths lining the perimeter of the room. People are gathered in the middle of the room where there's a space without any furniture. I assume this is for dancing.

I walk around, and immediately regret coming. I feel eyes following me as I walk around. Why are people looking me? Several men throw inappropriate comments my way. I've learned to ignore such things. Just as I decide it's best to leave, I hear someone say my name. I whip my head in the direction I heard it, and see Luke standing at the bar, looking straight at me. He's in his signature black skinny jeans, but with a black button down and black blazer. He looks incredible. 

I approach him, trying to contain my eagerness. His eyes travel from my eyes down to my toes and back up.

"You, uh," he coughs. "You look incredible, Paisley."

"Thanks. So do you." I say. 

He laughs. "I look like shit compared to you." He runs his hand through his hair as he says this. "I'm glad you came." He says.

"Me too." I offer a warm smile. "So, is this what 'company parties' tend to look like?" I ask.

"Yeah, most of the time. I'm not huge into the party scene, but Harry says I have to come to these sort of things, for publicity reasons." I nod. It's so dumb how one's party attendance can determine if they're a hot celebrity or not.

"Speaking of Harry, you should go say hi to him."

"Oh, no, I don't think that's-" Luke cuts me off by grabbing my wrist and pulling me behind him. My stomach heats as his warm skin touches mine, which is cold. I don't want my boss to see me dressed like this, especially at a club. I would absolutely hate if Harry thought of me as unprofessional, especially this early on in my career.

We soon approach Harry and Luke gives him a quick hug.

"I even got Paisley to come." He says, motioning to me.