Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
DEIDRE
T he next few weeks are hectic regarding things in my life.
I’m getting a lot of quality coding time in on the computer, bouncing between three different potential app ideas as well as getting ready for an upcoming meeting with the Flirt staff.
My new inspiration has me itching to write more code every chance I get, which is practically nil.
Victoria has me going to more events, which is keeping Flirt in the limelight.
My time with family and friends keeps decreasing.
I barely get to see Mandy. Anytime there’s an event on the West Coast, I try to get Mandy and Luke to be on the list for the parties.
I might not be able to directly hang out, but I can at least see them, even if from a distance.
I feel bad leaving them both alone, except when they’re both able to attend the same event.
Last week, I went with Mandy to celebrate the Fourth of July at her parents’ since Dad and Irene went back home to see Mike and Claire.
I enjoy being with Mandy’s family. They’re great people.
Being able to see Ryan again after so long has been nice.
We were able to catch up, and I got to meet his girlfriend.
Another three weeks pass in a blur, especially when I’m bouncing around a few places for Flirt promotions internationally.
There were a few times that I had brief challenges, overwhelmed by the number of men around me.
Tony had to step in and assist with getting me out of the parties when that occurred.
Each time, once safe in the car, I texted Luke, needing a distraction from my panic attacks.
Victoria is already scheduling more overseas travel for the early fall in Great Britain, Australia, and even Japan.
My days are long and my sleep is short. There are several times I get a few moments of rest on a ride to and from the places where I need to be.
The lull of an airplane or car makes sleep easier.
I’m excited to get home for the upcoming second anniversary party for Flirt .
It’s not so much the party as the fact that I’ll finally be home for a while.
“Come on, Mandy,” I call from the doorway. “We’re going to be late.”
“I’m coming!” she shouts from down the hall. “Hopefully we’ll both be coming tonight.”
“You won’t be if you don’t hurry up,” I tease. “And it’s not cool that I’m going to be late to my own party.”
She pops into the hallway. “Yes, it is.” Mandy stops and gets her first heel on. “It’s your party…hence the song It’s My Party and I’ll Cry if I Want To .”
“I don’t want to cry…but I will if you make me any more late,” I argue playfully.
“Don’t get your panties all in a bunch.”
“I can’t. I’m not wearing any,” I reply with a devious smirk.
I am wearing underwear. There’s no doubt about that, but it’s fun to pretend.
“You slut,” Mandy goads as she gets her final shoe on. “You make me so proud.”
“Aww, thanks. Now, come on.”
“So, do you know who the lucky guy will be tonight?” she asks.
I shrug and don’t answer. Even though I’m horny, I haven’t been able to just hook up with anyone.
My phone chimes. I take it out to check it as Mandy searches for her purse and makes sure she has everything.
“Who’s flirting with you already?”
The corner of my mouth tugs to the side a little when I see that Luke has just sent a winking emoji via Flirt . Seeing his name next to the image does something to my lady parts.
“Who’s that?” Mandy asks in a sing-songy voice.
My thumb hits the return flirting button and then swipes right to send it. “No one.” I quickly put my phone back in my purse.
“Didn't look like no one by the look on your face.”
“I’m just excited and nervous about tonight.”
“You forgot to mention horny ,” she says.
“Are you ready yet?”
She drapes her purse over her shoulder. “Yes.”
Tony holds the door to the limo for us once we lock up the house and set the alarm. He climbs into the front passenger seat since the limo came with its own driver.
“So,” Mandy says. “Are you sad that Luke isn’t coming?”
“Only because he’s my friend.”
Mandy opens her compact mirror and applies lipstick. “Why didn’t you invite him?”
“I told you. This isn’t a party where I want close friends and family.”
“Why not?” She smacks her lips and returns her items to the purse. “I don’t see what the big deal is.”
“You don’t understand.”
“Of course I don’t. You won’t explain,” she reminds.
“The less my mother knows about me or my father, the better,” I state. “I don’t want her to show up.”
“It’s not like she could get into the party,” Mandy says. “You have an invite list.”
“It wouldn’t matter if she made it to the party. It’s having her show up here in LA that would be the issue.”
“Do Mike and Claire know about the party?” she asks.
“No. They think that it’s just another event I need to attend for business. Besides, Dad swore he wouldn’t say anything.”
“And he’s still okay with you not officially inviting him and Irene?”
“Yes,” I agree. “I told them that this party is more of a show…a show dad would freak the fuck out about. I still haven’t told him about Tony.”
“It’s a shame you can’t celebrate with the people you really want to celebrate with,” Mandy says.
“I’ve got you.”
“That you do.” Mandy reaches over and grabs two wine glasses. She knocks on the dividing window and requests assistance with opening the bottle.
“Besides, I’ll be able to celebrate with Dad and Irene another time,” I say.
Tony hands her the open bottle.
“True,” she agrees.
We toast to two years of success with Flirt as well as to many more.
By ten, we arrive at the facility where the party is being held. We can hear the music bouncing into our vehicle before the doors open. The party started around nine, but in Hollywood, most people arrive fashionably late.
Mandy is by my side as we make our way through the different levels of the building.
The first two floors are packed wall to wall with people.
Most of them I don’t know or know in passing.
The DJ is on the second floor, so as soon as she sees me, she announces my arrival.
Cheers erupt, and the music volume increases to the point that I can’t hear myself think.
Later in the evening, Mandy and I are able to get something to eat, knowing that it’s going to be a long night.
By this point, Victoria is close at all times, escorting me to certain key people who have either been a part of the growth of Flirt or will be with our continued marketing.
Though Victoria can be very demanding, I’m grateful for her presence tonight.
There are more people here than I’d like, causing me to fidget a little and entertain the urge to go home.
I don’t always see Tony, but having Victoria close by eases my nerves.
Once Victoria stops hovering and relieves me from chatting with supporters and clients, I connect up with Mandy who’s dancing on the roof. How do I know she’s there? She texted me. Anytime we’re at a party, we keep each other updated on our whereabouts.
After about ten songs, the two of us head down to the floor where the food was and take a seat at the long bar area.
People continue to congratulate me as we stay perched in an exclusive area while several guys hit on us.
My phone is buzzing with alerts, indicating one of my former regular hookups is letting me know he’s at the party.
I entertain the idea of hooking up, but I just can’t bring myself to do it.
I know the guy and trust him, but there’s this weird feeling inside me.
He and I go somewhere to talk, catching up on what we’ve been doing. When we’re done, I make my way to a bathroom before heading back to Mandy. The best thing about Mandy is she’s always where she says she’s going to be—whether she’s drinking or not.
Doing my best to slip through the packed bodies, I note that a few men are standing around Mandy as I approach.
“That was quick,” Mandy teases.
“John’s got a way that makes the quickies fast and satisfying,” I fib.
Why bother telling the truth, right? It’s who Flirt Deidre is.
As I take a sip of my drink, my eyes, for some strange reason, lift to the face of the man over Mandy’s left shoulder. Happiness resonates inside me until dread seeps into my veins and I practically choke on my drink.
“Luke! Holy fuck,” I shout. My gaze darts to Mandy, wondering why she just let me openly talk about my fake sexual conquest.
“Hey,” he greets with a disheartened smile.
I get up off my seat and exchange an extremely uncomfortable hug. “How are you here?”
“Mandy invited me,” Luke reveals.
“Surprise,” Mandy says.
I look at Mandy and then back at Luke.
“If you don’t want me here?—”
“No,” I blurt. “I do. I just didn’t expect you.”
“Mandy said you’d be surprised.”
“This is me completely surprised.”
“I see a really cute guy. Bye.” Mandy disappears.
“Wh….” My voice drops as I watch her walk away without waiting for me to say something.
“Congratulations,” Luke says in my ear.
“Thanks. I’m sorry you had to find out like this.”
“About what? The party?" he asks.
“Yeah.”
“I understand,” he replies. “Mandy mentioned this being a no-family party.”
“Yeah.” I force a breath out that makes my cheeks puff.
“I can see why,” he says, glancing around the room. “Mike wouldn’t know what to do with himself. Your father would be freaking out right now. I think Irene and Claire would have a good time.”
Someone bumps into me, causing me to stumble forward into Luke.
He catches me, but as the number of people in the room increases, our bodies become smashed together.
Neither of us says anything as Luke’s hand remains on my hip as we just stare at each other.
Suddenly, it feels as if we’re completely alone.
I feel myself drawing my bottom lip between my teeth, and Luke notices.
“There you are,” a voice shouts from my left, yanking on my wrist.