Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Kinsley
The workday was almost over, and I couldn’t wait to get home. But first, I had to stop at the grocery store and shop. I was cleaning up my desk when Chase walked over and handed me a flyer.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“I’m having a beach party on Saturday with some people here at the office.
It would be rude of me not to invite you.
It’ll be fun. You should come. There will be a lot of alcohol, surfing, sunbathing, volleyball, barbeque, music, and a beautiful bonfire where you can roast marshmallows when nightfall hits.
I have one every year, and it’s a blast.”
“Thanks. I’ll think about it.”
“Okay. Have a good night. Still looking forward to spending the evening alone?” He smirked.
“Yes.” I grinned.
“Sounds boring, but to each his own. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He walked away, and I couldn’t help but laugh. I shoved the flyer into my purse and called it a day.
After the market, I took my bags, two at a time, up the stairs and into the kitchen.
Once I put away all the groceries, I cooked myself some dinner.
Nothing fancy. Just a small homemade pizza and a salad.
I took it over to the table and sat down, staring out the window at the palm trees that lightly swayed back and forth.
I glanced at my purse, which was sitting on the chair next to me, and pulled out the flyer that Chase had given me.
I typed in his address, 2715 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, and discovered he only lived fifteen minutes from me.
That was too close as far as I was concerned.
Maybe attending his party would be a good thing.
Mrs. Buckley always taught me to look for something positive in a negative.
Chase Calloway was a negative, but the positive aspect of his party would be that I would get to know my co-workers and potentially make some new friends.
Unlike the backstabbing bitch from back home—the one I grew up with and had known since I was six years old.
As I was cleaning up the kitchen from dinner, there was a knock at the door, and when I opened it, Mrs. Graham stood there holding a plant.
“Mrs. Graham. How are you?”
“Hello, Kinsley, and please call me Delilah.”
“Come on in.” I smiled.
“This is for you, dear. A little housewarming gift.” She handed me the green plant.
“Thank you. That was so sweet. Can I make you a cup of coffee or some tea?”
“A cup of tea would be nice.” She smiled as she took a seat at the table. “What’s this?” She picked up the flyer.
“Chase Calloway invited me to his beach party on Saturday.”
“Oh, that was nice of your boss to do that.”
“Not my boss. His son. He works there as well.” I grabbed two teabags from the cabinet. “He’s actually asked me out to dinner twice.”
“And you haven’t gone?”
“No.” I smiled as I poured the hot water into two cups. “He’s not my type.”
The next thing I knew, Delilah pulled out her phone and brought up a picture of him.
“Oh my. He’d certainly be my type.” She winked.
I set the cups on the table and took a seat.
“Are you going to go Saturday?” she asked.
“I don’t know. It would be a good opportunity to get to know some people from work.”
“And it would be a good opportunity to get out and explore. Now back to Chase Calloway. Why won’t you have dinner with him? And don’t tell me he’s not your type. This man is everyone’s type.”
“I’m not looking to go out with any guy right now or for a long time. Remember why I moved here. Plus, he’s a total Casanova. You should see how he flirts with all the women. It’s like they’re under a spell when he’s around. It’s nauseating.” I rolled my eyes.
“Well, I can definitely see why.” She smiled. “Just go to the party and have some fun. You deserve it. You’re settled here now, so there’s no reason not to.”
“I’ll think about it.” I smirked.
The next morning, after Mr. Calloway left for a meeting, I walked over to Lexi’s desk.
“Morning, Lexi.” I smiled.
“Good morning, Kinsley.”
“Are you going to Chase’s beach party on Saturday?”
“Yeah. His parties are always the best.” She grinned. “I hope you’re going.”
“I don’t know. I’m still thinking about it.”
“Well, you should. There’s going to be a bunch of us there.”
“What a way to start the day.” Chase smiled as he stopped at Lexi’s desk. “Good morning, Kinsley.”
“Good morning.”
“Did you stop by to see me?” he asked with a smirk on his face.
“No. I came to see Lexi.”
Lexi snorted.
“Oh. Well, it’s nice to see you’re making some friends here. Lexi, I need to go over a few things with you in my office when you’re finished.”
“I need to get back to my desk anyway,” I spoke. “Lunch?” I asked her.
“Sounds good.” She smiled.
Chase
“What do you need to go over with me?” Lexi asked as she stepped into my office.
“What did you two talk about?” I leaned back in my chair.
“Really, Chase?”
“Yes. Get on with it.” I waved my hand.
“She asked me if I was going to your party.”
“Is she coming?”
“She doesn’t know yet.”
“Well then, it’s up to you to ensure she comes.” My brow arched.
“I can’t force her to go, Chase.”
“True. But you can certainly persuade her, darling. In fact, you can do it at lunch today.”
She cocked her head. “What is it about her that has you all wound up?”
“I don’t know,” I spoke with seriousness as I stared at her.
Kinsley Davis was one hell of a sexy woman.
I’d been with many beautiful women in my life, but there was something different about her that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
I wasn’t the type of man to really get to know the women I slept with.
I honestly could have cared less. I knew they would never amount to anything.
That was how I wanted it, so why bother getting to know them.
But, when I saw her, something inside me was pulled towards her.
I couldn’t explain it even if I tried. Now, I was counting on Lexi to make sure Kinsley attended my party.
She needed to be there. I needed her to be there.