π½ππΈπβπΉπΈβπ #2
Gosh what was wrong with me tonight? It must've been all the business talk ruining my flow.
I laughed at myself before setting the extra glass on the table anyway.
"Guess I should've looked first."
"I would've recommended it."
"I'm Cameron." I say.
"I know you."
"You do?"
She nodded once. "West."
She said it like it explained everything.
"It does say so on the invitation."
I blinked before breaking out into a grin. "Oh, right."
"Dixie."
She finally offered her hand.
"Dixie..."
"Jones."
I shook her hand. It was smaller than mine, very warm.
"Dixie Jones." I tested the name under my tongue.
She nodded. "Our family's company."
I searched my memory-nothing. She watched the realization happen on my face, then she sighed dramatically.
"Of course you don't."
"I feel like I should."
"You probably should."
"I'll apologize in advance."
"We're Jones Associates." She tilted her head.
Still, nothing came to my head.
"...Law?"
"Real estate. Development. A little commercial investment."
"Oh." I snapped my fingers.
"No?" she smiled slightly.
"No."
"You were pretending." She laughed quietly.
She had pearly white teeth. Geez-was everything about her just perfect?
"I was hoping it'd come to me."
"It didn't."
"So..." I leaned against the empty chair across from her. "Are you enjoying the party?"
She shook her head, pressing her lips into a thin line.
"Not even a little?"
"Not even remotely."
"Gee, and I thought I was the only one."
"Really?" She looked genuinely surprised.
"I've spent the last forty minutes talking about mergers."
"I've spent the last forty minutes pretending to listen to mergers." she replied.
"We're practically the same person."
"I don't think that's true."
"No?"
"You seem like you enjoy talking."
"I do. Just not about quarterly earnings."
"What do you enjoy talking about?" She studied me for a second.
"Baseball. I could talk about baseball for hours."
"I don't know when to stop."
"I noticed."
"My coach says..." I caught myself. "Sorry."
She folded her hands together. "No, go ahead. I asked."
I smiled. I've seriously got to stop mentioning baseball when it isn't needed. What loser talks about themselves to girls they like?
"My coach thinks we've got a real shot at state this year."
"You've played long?"
"Since I was seven."
"What's your favorite position?"
"Definitely center field."
"Why?"
I smiled. "I like chasing impossible catches."
She nodded thoughtfully.
"That makes sense. You seem like the type."
Before I could ask what that meant, a familiar hand landed firmly on my shoulder.
"Cameron."
I turned around. Dad.
His smile looked pleasant enough. Only I noticed the question hidden underneath it.
"What are you doing over here?"
"I was just talking."
His eyes shifted toward Dixie for the first time.
Recognition flashed almost instantly. "Miss Jones."
"Mr. West." Dixie stood politely.
Well. Apparently they knew each other. Dad's expression changed.
He seemed more interested now.
"I didn't realize Robert brought you tonight."
"He did."
"Excellent. And where might your parents be?"
"Over there." She glanced toward the far side of the ballroom where a couple stood speaking with another group.
Dad followed her gaze.
"I've been meaning to speak with your father."
"I'll leave you two for just a moment." He looked back at me.
Then, quieter, only for me, he whispered: "Don't wander."
"I won't."
He walked away toward the Joneses. I watched him disappear into the crowd before exhaling.
"...Sorry."
"For what?" Dixie tilted her head.
"My dad."
"He wasn't rude." She smiled.
"No, but he does this thing where..."
I searched for the words.
"He forgets I'm a person and remembers I'm his son."
She went quiet. I start to think I've overshared.
"I noticed."
I looked at her. "You did? How?"
"You smiled differently when he walked over."
I stared. "You're observant."
"I've been told."
Dixie Jones might be the most interesting person I'd ever met.
She took another sip of her sparkling water.
I was still trying to figure her out. Most people I'd met tonight were easy. Give them five minutes, and they'd tell you exactly who they wanted you to think they were.
Dixie Jones?
I had absolutely no idea.
"So.." I rocked back slightly on my heels. "Can I ask you something?"
"You just did."
I stared before laughing. "Can I ask you another thing?"
"I suppose."
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
She looked up from her glass. For exactly half a second, she genuinely looked caught off guard. Then, impressively fast, she recovered.
The tiniest smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Mr. West."
"Mhm?"
"At least take me to dinner first."
I blinked.
She looked suspiciously pleased with herself for about three seconds before that expression disappeared again behind her calm composure.
"Oh, my bad. I wasn't trying to ask you out-I mean-"
"..I usually have better material." I sigh.
"I'm sure you do."