Hot Rival ( jenlisa ) ( Gip )

8

Jennie

"Gin and tonic, please."

The barman nods at me and turns to make my drink. While he's doing that, I take a moment to glance around the room again.

I tell myself I'm not looking for her, but I can't quite convince myself of the lie.

There's still no sign of her though. I sigh and turn back around. The bartender slides a short crystal tumbler towards me and I smile gratefully and take a long sip.

I'm at the Trinity Central Hospital fundraiser kick-off, it's at the Grand Windsor Hotel. The same place as the Design Times anniversary party. The same place I met Lisa.

I look down at the eggplant-colored dress I'm wearing and smooth an invisible wrinkle out of the skirt. This is another of my original designs, with a halter neck and a knee-length pleated skirt. The crepe fabric is light and flowy, and, except for the color, the dress has a sort of Marilyn Monroe feel to it.

I try not to wonder what Lisa will think of it. Because I don't care. I definitely don't care. And I definitely didn't wear brand new lacy underwear for any reason having to do with her. No sirree.

I turn and scan the crowd again, but still nothing. Maybe she's not coming? She has to, I think, though. Maybe she's just running late.

And maybe I'm just paying way too much damn attention to whether she's here yet or not. I turn back to the bar, more than a little irritated with myself. I make myself a deal: finish my drink, and then I have to go mingle. After all, I'm supposed to be here representing Kim Living.

I take another sip of my drink. I'm just plucking the lime off the rim and squeezing it into the cocktail when her deep voice comes from behind me.

"Fancy meeting you here."

My entire body tenses in an instant. I can practically feel her breath, warm on the back of my neck. For a second I close my eyes and let myself remember the way she pressed me up against the wall of the elevator, the way she could be so forceful and commanding, yet so sensual at the same time.

I force myself to wear a neutral smile and turn around. Then I burst out laughing.

"I see you decided to eschew the dress code?" Lisa is wearing dark jeans and a red and black plaid shirt.

"Technically there is no dress code."

"Well, I think this look works for you."

"Thank you — from you, I'll actually take that as a compliment."

"You should." My smile is more genuine now. "I like people who owns their style." I laugh as I see her reaction. "Lisa Manoban, are you blushing?"

"No! I'm always this color."

"Millennial pink?"

"It's the color of the moment, you know."

"I'm ... impressed that you know that."

"There's a lot about me that would impress you."

"I think I've already experienced a couple of them." The words are out of my mouth before I realize what I'm saying. Lisa grins.

"Now I think you're the one blushing."

"No. I'm just trying out the millennial pink thing."

She keeps smiling as she studies my face. "Can I get you a drink?"

"It's an open bar."

"Even better."

I wave my glass at her. "I already have a drink. And I promised myself I would go mingle when I was finished it."