Off The Record

Chapter Four - Off The Record

When I got home I put the dress and shoes away and then called Sammy, my best friend who lived in New York. I let it all out - Ezra the promotion - Alec and the date. She was silent for far too long, to the point I had started to believe the call had been disconnected.

"He asked you out?" She finally said. "What did you do, wear a neon sign saying 'look at me'? The guy has been clueless for a year and now he asks you out? Not only that, you're going to research Ezra Stone. Talk about cluster fuck."

She was my best friend, but also a realist. It was what I loved most about her.

"I don't know. It's like the world woke up upside down today."

Sammy laughed. "I mean I hate to play devil's advocate here, but Alec has been kind of a clueless jerk until now. He's made you run around after him doing things not in your job description for the better part of a year. Is it not possible he just invited you now that you've got a bit more professional responsibility?"

I frowned and sunk into my bed. I hadn't clarified the nature of his invitation and now I could only assume.

"I guess." I whispered.

"Fuck." Sammy sighed. "I didn't mean to shit on your excitement Ivy. I just think you can do a whole lot better than Alec. You deserve a guy who sees and treats you with respect right away."

"I promise, I'll proceed with caution."

"Of course you will, and you'll look hot doing it."

**

As stupid as it was, I disregarded Sammy's wise words of advice and spent the rest of the night and next day convincing myself it was a date. Alec sent me the details over email, so at least I knew I needed to find my own way there. After work I went home and showered, by the time I was ready it was nearing 8pm. I caught an uber to the venue and gave my name to the doorman.

Once I was inside I let my eyes scan the room. The music was pumping, the bass strong like a heart beat through the bottoms of my already deeply uncomfortable stilettos. I tried to ignore the brewing pain.

Finally I found Alec. He was up on the next level, by the bar. He wasn't alone. He had a tall beautiful leggy blonde in a red dress beside him. She looked beautiful and put together like a goddamned supermodel. Alec's arm was around the woman's waist, she was leaning into him, literally hanging off of him.

She was his date. Not me. I looked down at my black dress, it suddenly felt like a form fitting trash bag. My cheeks began to heat up and nausea rolled through my stomach. I tried to run, but the stilettos I'd so stupidly decided I could wear prohibited me from moving fast anywhere. By the time I'd finally made it to the bathroom, the hurt had begun to dwindle. I had no right to be hurt anyway, it had been a misunderstanding. I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked different, like an alternate version of myself. I pulled out my camera from my purse and took a photo to send to Sammy.

You were right. It wasn't a date. - Ivy

OMG - I'll date you. You look STUNNN-NNING - Sammy

I think I might go home. - Ivy

Absolutely not. You walk out of that bathroom Babe. Someone will ask you to dance right away. - Sammy.

I smiled and shoved my phone back in my purse. I walked out of the bathroom and immediately someone was holding out a glass of wine.

I looked up, and my eyes widened. It was Ezra.

"We really ought to stop running into one another." He spoke, oozing charisma and charm. I took the glass of wine and downed it so quickly I wasn't even sure I tasted it. Ezra took the glass and gave it to the waiter.