Life After Dark: Book Two of the Dark Series

Chapter 116

~ New Year's Eve: A Date with Destiny ~

"Whoa, Mama!"

Eve turned away from the mirror to glance over her shoulder at her admirer. Her brown eyes flashed with sassiness and mirth as she arched a perfect eyebrow. "Come again? Is that the best you can do?"

"Nah," Chris Ramsey grinned as he slammed the Staff Lounge door closed with the heel of his shoe. His dark eyes wandered over his colleague and good friend and a grin spread across his handsome face. The black strapless, mini dress left very little to his overactive imagination. "I can't do any better than that unless I want a slap."

Playfully rolling her eyes, Eve turned away from Chris to admire her reflection. As she applied the finishing touches to her make-up, she said, "You are one piece of work. Has anyone ever told you that?"

"Maybe once or twice, but I didn't listen to 'em," he chuckled softly. Wanting to get a closer look at his usually absentee roommate, Chris sauntered towards her. When he noticed her glance at him in the mirror, he changed his mind and headed for the sofa. As he plopped down, he released a loud sigh. "Richie Rich again, I take it?"

"He has a name," Eve said, glaring him through the mirror's reflection.

"Does he?" Chris shrugged. "I didn't notice. The dollar signs always prevent me from noticing that one minor detail-"

"What are you trying to say?" Eve asked, whirling around to face him. With a snap, her compact closed shut and she stormed towards him. "I am not with AJ because of his family's money!"

Chris raised his hands in mock defense. "I never said you were."

Refusing to be abated, Eve planted her hands on her hips. "So, what are you saying? For weeks now, you've made comments about him and about us. If you've got something to say, say it or otherwise-"

"I've got something to say," he declared. He rose from the sofa to stare down into her eyes.

"Yeah?" she challenged him.

"You could do better than him-"

"Oh, Chris, please!" Eve threw up her hands and turned away from him again. The heels of her black pumps click-clacked on the tile floor as she strode to her locker. With her back to him, she pulled out her matching sequined bolero jacket, inspecting it for wrinkles, lent and anything else that would make her ensemble less than perfect.

"What?" he asked, moving to stand behind her. "You said for me to say what's on my mind, so here it is! He's using you, Eve, and the sooner you realize that-"

"What?" she asked with a laugh. "He's using me? Chris, I've heard some outrageous things come out of that mouth of yours, but nothing as ridiculous as that-"

"What's so ridiculous or outrageous about me looking out for you?"

Eve laughed even harder and pointed at him as she said, "That! Okay, now that was even better than the last thing you said. You look out for someone? And me, at that?! Okay, Ramsey. What gives? Why all the jokes? Are you trying to find humor on your lone New Year's Eve?"

Chris shook his head at her as she continued to chuckle softly. "Okay, maybe I deserved some of that, but I can't help but tell you what I see. He is using you, and the sooner you wake up from this dream of the perfect family, the better."

One arm was in the process of sliding into her jacket as Eve stopped to look at him. Her laughter ceased and the ticking of the clock was the only sound in the room. "Okay, so you think he's using me," she said quietly. "Explain to me how he's using me and when you're done with that explanation, you can explain my dream of the perfect family to me because I didn't know that I had one."