Silver Lining | Grooms #3

XVI. Office Party

Nikhil had been at the New Years' Party for the last half hour, interacting with people he had no interest in talking to. During office hours, sure, he'd talk to them then. But right now, he was just waiting on Esha. The party for the Jace & Sons office had been yesterday, and tonight, Louis had invited him and Evan to Santora's party. Nikhil would have made an excuse, but hadn't given he was hoping Esha would be there.

He told himself, if Esha didn't come in the next half hour, he'd make an excuse and leave.

Fortunately, in the next fifteen minutes, she entered the party hall. As soon as his eyes did spot her, blood rushed all over his body seeing the dress she had on. Damn. How can she wear something so simple and still look damn sexy in it?

To say, it was a simple black dress. Nothing out of the ordinary. It reached her thighs. The straps of it were thin. It was perfectly curved till her sides, clinging to her upper half of the body, and then flowed the rest with a lace bodice around just under her breasts. She had paired it with black boots, bracelets and loomed earrings. The necklace she always wore was still there. He'd noticed that no matter the occasion or the time of the day, she never removed that necklace. It was enough for him to assume the piece of jewelry held sentimental value to her.

Evan commented, "Good luck, man." He could sympathize with his friend when he had followed his gaze and realized what, or rather who, Nikhil couldn't snap his eyes away from.

Nikhil answered with a groan, knowing already it wasn't going to be easy. Esha was a mistress of seduction, whether or not she was aware of it.

Esha had been chatting with Louis, and telling him what she thought of the turnout at the party while looking around the room when her gaze fell on Nikhil, who seemed to be talking to Evan. "You invited them as well?" Esha questioned, nodding her head in their direction.

Louis answered, "Oh, ofcourse. It'd be rude if we didn't. Come." He briefly put his hand on her back to steer her in the direction to walk towards them.

Upon reaching them, Evan greeted, having already noticed them walking in their direction. "Well, well, well, look who the beast dragged in."

Esha chuckled, "You clean up nice too, Evan."

"You two know each other?" Louis found himself asking.

Esha informed her boss. "Oh yes, he joined us when we went to see the property in Boston."

"Ah, yes. I forgot. Cami did mention it."

Esha nodded at Nikhil, "Mr. Khanna."

Nikhil raised his brow, questioning her silently. Is that how you are going to play this? The expression on her face didn't change at all. He reciprocated, "Ms. Esha. I have to say, you look very... beautiful in that dress."

The slight pause told Esha that 'beautiful' was probably the last word Nikhil wanted to use to describe her, but was holding it back given she had just inexplicitly told him she didn't want the people she worked with to know what was between the two of them.

Evan snickered at that, knowing the inside joke that Louis seemed oblivious of. Even Esha had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from smiling while she answered to his rather charming compliment, "Why, thank you. That is very sweet of you."

Nikhil could only shake his head at her. What does it take to get you to compliment back? She'd given one to Evan so promptly, and yet, she was making him wait and work for it.

"I do hope you're enjoying yourselves." Louis said, "If you will, excuse us. I'd like Esha to meet a few other people."

"Certainly." Evan answered for the both of them, for if Nikhil had his way, he wouldn't let Esha stray from his side when she looked sexy as hell, and there were guys at the party who weren't the most decent lot and were already tipsy this early in the celebrations.