Eruption - Chapter 2
Saturday
"Well that wasn't awkward at all," Rob said as he leaned down and hugged me.
"So everyone did hear?" I asked. I had talked to almost everyone and escaped to the kitchen to catch my breath.
I wasn't as good at parties as James was.
Networking wasn't something I was good at.
And I had just embarrassed myself in front of all my friends and a few people I'd probably consider more of acquaintances.
They'd probably remain acquaintances now.
"That you were about to give James head to extract information from him? Oh, yeah, everyone heard that," he said as he let me out of his embrace and handed me a drink.
I laughed. "Well, no one's mentioned it but you. Not everyone has as dirty of a mind as you."
"Or you." He winked at me. "How was lunch with my parents?"
"They canceled again."
"You're kidding. They're really holding out."
"Holding out for what?"
"James to change his mind, I guess."
Right. My biggest fear was that they'd just start throwing women at James that were way more suitable to be their daughter in law. I looked down at the drink Rob had given me. "What is this?"
"Trust me, you'll like it."
"You're not roofieing me, are you?"
He laughed. "The girl my brother is about to marry? I would never."
"I never believe anything you say, you know."
"That's how I prefer it. But it's just a sex on the beach. If you'd prefer the actual thing, I think we could arrange that, though."
"I'll take the drink. Are you still enjoying living on campus?" I took a sip of my drink. It was sweet, but very strong.
"Of course. That's a ridiculous question. I'm living the dream."
"Taking advantage of innocent young women?"
"What, like you?" He smiled at me. "Shagging your professor wasn't so innocent, Penny."
"Is Rob harassing you again?" Bee said and leaned against the kitchen counter next to me.
Rob laughed and looked down at his watch. "Is it time for me to move on to you already?"
"You can focus on Penny tonight," Bee said. "It's her big day. Congrats, again," she said and squeezed my arm.
"Thanks, Bee."
"And congrats on the new job too. James just told us about it."
"Did he?" I looked over at James. He was sitting on the couch next to Mason. As if he could feel my stare, he turned away from Mason and smiled at me. He raised his left eyebrow and lifted his glass slightly. Mason laughed beside him and gestured for Rob to join them.
"I've been summoned," Rob said. "I'll let you two ladies talk. I'll be back when you're done that drink, Penny. You won't even be able to resist me." He walked over to the couch and plopped himself between Mason and James.
I looked down at the drink. He was joking right? "On a scale of one to ten, how likely is it that this drink has a roofie in it?"
Bee laughed. "Like fifty."
"That's what I thought." I pushed it aside and grabbed a glass of champagne off a tray that a waiter was walking around with. "Okay, so I have a question for you. What's it like working with Mason?"
Bee smiled. "Wonderful."
"Really? It doesn't make it hard to keep your work and personal life separate?"
Her cheeks turned slightly red. "We don't really keep it that separate."
I laughed. "I'm guessing the blurred line doesn't mean you go over reports in bed at night?"
"Not exactly. We share an office, though. What do you expect?"
"Right. But it's not going to be like that if I work with James.
Or, for him, I guess is a better way to put it.
" Bee and Mason were an amazing power couple.
They had grown their advertising firm to seven figures within just a couple months after their launch.
Now it was one of the top agencies in the city.
And even though they worked a lot, they still looked at each other in that way that made your heart melt.
"I doubt he's going to make it feel like you're working for him.
And either way, it'll look great on your resume.
You still have different last names, you can take advantage of that.
Use it as a stepping stone. And your next employer doesn't have to be any the wiser when you use James as a reference. "
I laughed. "I'm pretty sure he's sabotaging me from getting any other jobs."
"I'm sure that isn't true."
"You have no idea." I took a sip of my champagne.
Bee laughed. "I think he and Mason are pretty similar. They're both used to getting whatever they want. I'm not sure they understand the word no."
I laughed. "Shh, they're coming over here."
Bee smiled as Mason wrapped his arms around her. "What are you two talking about?"
"How stubborn you are," Bee said. "What were you two talking about?"
"James' bachelor party," Mason said. "Rob and I have so many good ideas."
"Trust me," Bee said and grabbed my arm. "You do not want Mason planning James' bachelor party."
I laughed even though she didn't look like she was kidding. "I'd rather him plan it than Rob. Whenever Rob and James get together they always do something stupid."
"You have nothing to worry about," James said and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "I'm not having a bachelor party."
"Of course you are," Mason said. "I already bought the tickets. It's going to be awesome."
Bee frowned. "Where exactly are you guys going?"
"I can't say," Mason said. "It's a surprise."
Bee shook her head.
"We're not going anywhere," James said. "Don't worry about it."
"You should have a bachelor party," I said and looked up at him. "Isn't that like a rite of passage?"
"Yeah, but I've already had one."
Every now and then I let myself forget about his past. I downed the rest of my champagne and picked up the sex on the beach.
I kind of hoped it was laced with something.
I hated thinking about finding a job. I hated thinking about James' parents not wanting to meet me.
But most of all I hated being reminded of Isabella.
I took a huge sip of the drink. "You should still go, James. You'll have fun."
"See," Mason said. "She wants you to go."
James squeezed my shoulder. "I'll think about it."
"Are you ready to get going, Bee?" Mason asked and removed his arms from around her. He whispered something in her ear and she laughed.
"I guess we need to get going," she said. "Bye, James." She gave him a quick hug. "See you tomorrow, Penny," Bee said as she hugged me. "Don't encourage them, Penny," she whispered. "You seriously don't want Mason to plan it. Trust me." She pulled back. "Congratulations." She gave me a small smile
Weird. "Thanks, Bee. See you tomorrow."
Mason hugged me. "Congratulations on finally graduating. I guess I can't really make fun of James for being with someone so young now."
"I'm sure you'll find something else to tease him about."
Mason laughed and released me from his hug. "It's going to be a blast, man," Mason said and slapped James on the back. "Maybe not as much fun as you guys are about to have when everyone clears out of here, though, right, Penny?" He winked at me.
Oh God. Everyone really did hear. I put my hand over my face as they left the apartment. "I'm mortified."
James laughed. "It gave everyone something to talk about all night." He put his hand on the small of my back and pulled me into him.
"You could have stopped me two seconds earlier, you know. Usually when someone throws a surprise party they don't let the guest of honor say something embarrassing in front of a room full of people."
"I don't know. How many surprise parties have you been thrown?"
"Well, none, but..."
"So I'm pretty sure this was exactly how it's supposed to go." He leaned down and lightly nipped my earlobe. "I had considered letting you keep going. So you're welcome."
I laughed and looked into the living room. There were only a few people left. Melissa and Tyler were sitting on the couch, laughing about something. "Did you say something to Melissa? To make her not want to stay with us? I was really looking forward to it."
"Although I am excited that I get to keep you all to myself, I don't think her not wanting to stay with us has anything to do with me." James nodded back over to them.
"What do you mean?"
James laughed. "They're obviously sleeping together."
"No they aren't." Tyler and Melissa were definitely not hooking up. That was ridiculous. I looked back up at James.
"What, does that upset you?" He lowered his eyebrows slightly.
"Of course not. But they're not sleeping together." Tyler was sweet and kind and Melissa was my best friend, but she was Melissa. They weren't a good fit.
James laughed. "I'm pretty sure they are."
"Melissa would have told me. Tyler would have told me."
"Maybe they thought it would be awkward."
I laughed. "Why would that be awkward?" I swallowed hard and looked back over at them. They were just friends. All three of us were just friends. Melissa laughed and lightly pushed Tyler's shoulder. They are just friends, right?
James kissed my cheek. "Let's go try to subtly get rid of everyone. I want to give you your present in private."
"I told you not to get me anything. You already paid for..."
He silenced my protests with a kiss. "My fiancée just graduated. Of course I got you something." He grabbed my hand and guided me back toward the living room.
The only people left were Melissa, Tyler, Rob, and Mason's little brother, Matt. James sat down in the only empty chair and pulled me onto his lap.
"How'd you like the rest of that drink?" Rob asked. "Are you feeling frisky yet?"
I laughed. "I didn't finish it." I was feeling a little frisky, but not at all toward Rob. The man with his arms wrapped around me was the only guy I ever wanted.
"Now what am I going to do with the rest of my night?" Rob said and leaned back in his chair.
"Stop being gross, Rob," Melissa said.
"I thought you liked when I was gross?" he said and smiled at her.