Chapter 5
RENéE
Two weeks. Two weeks of absolute hell, all because Javier couldn’t let a straightforward project be just that—straightforward. He dragged it out, turned it into a battlefield, and somehow made every second feel like a personal attack on my sanity. But finally—finally—we were done. And we didn’t just finish it; we crushed it. If that wasn’t a reason to celebrate (or at least drink until I forgot the last fifteen days of my life), I didn’t know what was.
Tonight’s plan? Drown myself in sangria, ignore every thought of work, and sleep like I’d been in a coma.
By the time we reached The Tipsy Tap, our usual spot, I was more than ready. A Friday night, my girls, and the best bar in town? Perfection. The place was packed, the air buzzing with the right kind of energy. The second I stepped through the door, I felt it—a familiar warmth, the comfort of knowing exactly where I belonged. And more importantly, exactly where my first drink was waiting.
We found our table right by the stage and quickly got our drinks. And yes, we were clinking glasses and laughing like we’d survived a marathon, because, technically, we had. With Mia from customer service, Rose from design, Ava and Ruth from marketing, Zoe from finance, and my dear Elise, the crew was in full force.
“Elise said you almost killed Javier today,” Ruth smirked, tossing a chip in her mouth as she watched me over the rim of her drink.
I rolled my eyes, swirling my sangria. “Didn’t realize my attempted murder got out that fast.”
“Oh, honey, in our office, even whispers have a PA system.” Ruth laughed, and I took a dramatic sip, leaning back with a sigh.
“Well, as long as he doesn’t report me to HR, I’m in the clear.”
“Please. The entire office avoids him like the flu,” Mia chimed in, wrinkling her nose.
Ava snickered. “Yeah, he’s practically a walking red flag with a corporate ID.”
“We actually started a betting pool in design,” Rose added with a wicked grin. “On when you’ll finally snap and chew him out.”
“Trust me, I’m this close,” I said, waving her off with my glass. “It’d be verbal though. No way I’m taking him down physically.”
Ruth leaned in; eyes wide. “Speaking of physical—have you seen him lately? The guy’s jacked. Like, ‘I secretly lift buildings in my spare time’ jacked.”
“Yeah, and yet somehow, all that muscle still can’t carry his personality,” I shot back, drawing a round of laughs from the table.
And then, like some twisted cosmic joke, I spotted him. Javier and his crew had just walked in, his gaze scanning the room as he took his usual commanding strides. Of course, the universe would toss him into my night off.
“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me,” Rose groaned, following my line of sight as she sipped her tequila.
“Just ignore them,” I said, flipping my hair with a fake smile. “They stay in their corner, we stay in ours.”
Elise was already looking a little tipsy, grinning up at me as she slurred, “Good plan, boss.”
I squinted at her, amused. “Elise, are you already drunk?”
“Nooo,” she mumbled, hiccupping.
Mia rolled her eyes. “I swear, if you throw up in my car again, Elise, I’m making you walk home this time.”
We all burst into laughter, falling back into our usual banter, tuning out the obnoxious laughter from the other side of the bar where Javier and his crew were carrying on. I sipped my sangria again, but no amount of wine could dull the fact that he was in my periphery, louder and more irritating than ever.
“Why are these guys always so damn loud?” Zoe muttered, glaring at their table.
“I’m glad I don’t have to work with them.” I grumbled.
“Oh please, it’s better than working with Mr. High and Mighty on the daily.” Rose patted me on my back.
I gave a nod sipping my drink, “Touché.”
Rose snorted, giving me a sympathetic look. “It’s a miracle you haven’t gone postal.”
“Don’t remind me,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Today, he swooped in and tried to micromanage my entire project—like, he actually had ‘suggestions’ for my team. As if we need his input.”
“It’s not a surprise that half the clients hate him,” Rose added conspiratorially. “Honestly, how has he not been fired?”
“No surprise there,” I muttered, glancing over at him again. “The fact anyone tolerates him is beyond me.”
“Maybe the other half just want to sleep with him,” Ruth chimed in, laughing into her drink.
I nearly spit out my sangria. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Not gonna lie,” Mia admitted, dreamily staring at the ceiling. “He does have that whole brooding, mysterious bad boy thing going on.”
“Yeah, no thanks, team ‘Javier is a jerk’ right here,” Rose declared, raising her glass.
I clinked mine against hers with a smirk. “Cheers to that.”
As the drinks kept flowing, Zoe suddenly perked up. “Alright, enough about work. Who’s up for a game of dare?”
“I’m in!” I shouted, the buzz of the night loosening me up.
The others chimed in, eager for some fun as Zoe spun an empty beer bottle. It landed on Rose, who ended up having to sing along with the next song on stage. As soon as the intro to I Will Survive kicked in, she snatched the mic and threw herself into it, making us all laugh with her dramatic dance moves and enthusiastic singing. The entire bar cheered as she belted out the chorus.
Then, it was Mia’s turn. She was dared to order the priciest drink on the menu—a $50 champagne cocktail, and downed it with the flair of someone who knew her worth.
And then the bottle pointed to me.
Mia’s grin turned mischievous. “Alright, Renée. I dare you to kiss the next person who sits on that corner stool over there.”
I shrugged, unfazed. “Easy.”
Scanning the room, I spotted an older guy heading toward the corner seat. Perfect—a quick peck on the cheek, and I’d be off the hook. Feeling smug, I got up, mentally preparing for the minor, innocent kiss.
But naturally, the universe wasn’t done playing tricks on me. Just as the older man was about to settle in, someone else cut right in front of him, sliding into the seat with perfect, infuriating timing.
Javier.
Of all people.
My heart stuttered. No. Way.
Javier sat there, completely unaware—or pretending to be. Leaned back on his barstool, drink in hand, like he had no idea what was about to go down. But I wasn’t stupid. He knew. He had to. Of all the places in this bar, he chose that spot, sitting there like a challenge wrapped in casual indifference.
I glanced at the girls. Wide-eyed, biting back their smirks, watching me like this was the most thrilling thing they’d ever witnessed. Like they were waiting— hoping —I’d back down. But that wasn’t in my DNA. Not with them watching. And especially not with Javier, existing so smugly, testing my patience without even trying.
Backing out would be an admission of defeat, and I’d rather chug a bottle of vinegar. Javier Densmore was the last person on this planet I’d let make me look weak. He had a talent for winning without lifting a damn finger, for getting under my skin in ways no one else could. But if winning tonight meant kissing him ? Then fine.
I wasn’t scared of a fight, and if my best move was pressing my lips to the enemy, then so be it. Javier could be my boss, my headache, my biggest irritation—but right now? He was about to be my stepping stone to victory.
So, I flicked my hair over my shoulder, met the girls’ barely-contained excitement with a smirk, and stepped forward, head held high. If he wanted to sit there, completely unaware of the battle he’d just walked into, then that was his mistake. Because ready or not, he was about to find out exactly what it meant to be in my way.