Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“I can think of a million places I’d rather be,” he mutters as he glances around the room. “I see every socialite has their eyes on you. Good luck with that.”
I let out a dissatisfied grunt, hating the feel of the hungry and longing eyes on me.
“Let’s grab a drink.” I lift an eyebrow at Eloise. “Can I get you anything?”
Holding up her martini glass, she shakes her head. “This will last me a while.”
Leaving Harper to talk with Eloise, Daniel and I make our way to the bar.
“Two Jack on the rocks,” Daniel tells the barman before glancing over the room again.
“How’s work?” I ask.
His gaze swings back to me. “Busy as always. The construction of the bridge will begin soon.”
Daniel’s a structural engineer and has a weird fascination with bridges. He and Harper always used to argue about the framed photos of bridges he put up in their home, but eventually, she gave in and made her peace with it.
“You should come over for dinner. It’s been a while,” he states.
“Saturday?” I ask. When he nods, I offer him a smile. “I’ll bring the wine.”
“Evening, gentlemen,” Suzanna Bloomberg interrupts us.
I almost let out a groan but stop myself in time. “Evening,” I mutter, not sparing her as much as a glance. Instead, I pick up the tumbler the barman just placed in front of me and swallow a sip.
“Can I have a moment of your time, Callan?” she asks.
Daniel chuckles as he takes his drink and walks to where Harper is standing, leaving me alone with the she-wolf.
Sucking in a deep breath, I level my gaze on Suzanna. She’s one of the most sought-after socialites, and it’s gone straight to her head. A Mrs. Hill in the making.
I haven’t had much time for dating, but if I were to start a relationship with a woman, she would be down-to-earth with a heart and a soul.
“What can I do for you?” I ask.
Her fake smile brightens, and as she steps closer to me, she slants her eyes to the side, making sure the other socialites see her with me.
“I need a date for Belinda Newman’s thirtieth birthday.”
Knowing exactly where this is going, I can’t resist to fuck with her. “Put in your application with my company, and I’ll see who I can pair with you.”
Her lips part with an offended breath, her eyebrows drawing together. “You’re misunderstanding, Callan. I want you to accompany me as my date.”
A chuckle rumbles from me as I shake my head. “That’s not going to happen.”
Placing her hand on my bicep, she widens her eyes and gives me a seductive look. “Surely you can make an exception for me? We’ll look good together.”
Shaking her hand off my arm, I step away from her. “I don’t have any interest in dating you,” I say to make myself clear to the woman. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
As I walk to Harper and Daniel, I feel Suzanna’s eyes shooting daggers into my back.
Honestly, I’d rather remain single, like Eloise, than settle for the likes of Suzanna.
“Harper tells me you’re planning the ten-year anniversary,” Eloise says. “I hope I’ll get an invitation.”
“Of course.” I grin at her.
“Before I forget. I’ll need you on the twenty-sixth for the Art Gala,” she adds.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I add her to my schedule. “What time should I pick you up?”
“Seven.”
“It’s a date,” I reply with a smile.
A couple of years ago, I told her she doesn’t have to pay any longer and that I’ll accompany her as a friend. Now there's a running joke between us where she pays a hundred dollars into my account after every event.
“Daniel tells me you’re coming for dinner on Saturday,” Harper says. She glances at Eloise. “You’re welcome to join us.”
Eloise lets out a sigh. “I wish I could, but I have an exhibition. Once things are quieter at work, we can have dinner. Thank you for the invite, though.”
I keep an eye on the time, and once an hour has passed, I say, “That’s me for the evening. I’ve made an appearance.”
Harper gives me a playful glare. “The moment you leave, I’m donating a million on your behalf.”
I let out a chuckle. “I’ll take half out of your bonus.”
She scrunches her nose but gives me a friendly smile. “I’ll see you at the office.”
I shake Daniel’s hand and press a kiss to Eloise’s cheek before I head out of the building.
Just as I take the steps down to the sidewalk, I hear Suzanna call, “Callan, just a moment, please.”
Letting out an audible sigh, I glance over my shoulder.
She comes to a stop on the steps and levels me with a scowl. “You owe me an apology.”
My eyebrow lifts. “For what?”
“For being rude to me at the bar.” Her face pinches with anger. “You should feel flattered that I asked you to be my date to the party of the year.”