“Some best friend you are,” I grumble as I stalk to my room.
“I’m cleaning up your sticky anger induced mess, so shut up and go shower.”
Rinsing myself off, I head straight for the pajama pile in my closet, only to find Connor standing with a dark green bodycon dress in one hand and strappy red stilettos in the other.
“Don’t give me that look,” Connor scolds me. “We are going out.”
“In matching outfits?”
“Yes,” he deadpans. “It’s a pre-pre-Christmas themed party. You have thirty minutes, then I'm throwing you over my shoulder no matter what you look like."
“Can I at least get that hug first?” I pout and hold my arms open wide.
“You’re so adorable when you do that,” Connor fawns and steps into my waiting embrace, squishing me and lifting me off the floor. “Try that on Declan, he won’t be able to resist.”
“Very funny, Con,” I huff with a smile. “Now get out of here. I’ll be ready in thirty.”
I pull the dress on, go to my vanity, apply a giant glob of curl volumizer, and quickly blow out my tresses, so they hang loose in bouncy curls around my shoulders. Then, I apply my signature smoky eye makeup, which is the only nighttime look I’ve managed to master; hence, it’s a signature style. Usually, I prefer a more natural palette.
Strapping on my stilettos, I take one last look in the full body mirror to affirm that I am, indeed, smoking hot, then turn to the door.
“Damn, girl.” Connor whistles. “You gonna make me reconsider this gay thing.”
“We tried that, Con, remember?” I pat his arm with fondness.
“Right, and we both prefer dick.”
“Yes, and I admit I envy the man who gets yours.”
“You never actually tried mine,” Connor reminds me.
“True. And dick notwithstanding, I envy any person who gets to be loved by you.”
“Aw, that’s sweet, Elle.” Connor pulls me into a tight hug from behind, kissing the top of my head. “You will always be my boo. You know that, right?”
“I do.” I snuggle closer to him. “Now, come on, let’s get drunk and break some hearts!”
“Now you talkin’, baby girl!” Connor whoops and smacks my ass. “I met this sexy bartender named James earlier today at Costco, so we are going to this hot new club, where there should be no one we know and no one who knows us in sight. You can go wild.”
“Sounds perfect.”
And it is. The club is all sexy and upbeat music, packed with people grinding and swaying under shimmering green, red and gold strings, some holding silver stars, and some cutouts of mistletoe.
There’s a selection of red Santa hats, antlers, or green elf hats at the entrance. Con and I both go for reindeer antlers with a matching red nose, taking a selfie that goes straight on our socials.
“Girl, we are on fy-er,” I exclaim to Connor’s deep laughter rumbling over the loud music.
“Come on,” Connor yells, pulling me toward the bar. “James, this is Elle, Elle, meet James.”
James, tall, lean, and wearing nothing but a pair of tight jeans and an open Santa robe, kisses Connor on each cheek. I stretch out my arm to shake his hand and get pulled into an identical double cheek peck.
“You are gorge!” James declares with a heavy Texan accent and a wide grin, winking at Connor as he places three shot glasses on the bar. “What’s your poison, little reindeer? And the answer better be tequila.”
“Tequila, it is.” I laugh, gesturing the glasses. James pours us shots, and we clink them over the bar, tossing our heads back and returning them with a slam.
The rest of the night is a blur. Connor and I dance and laugh, heading back to the bar every few songs to fuel on tequila shots, then right back to the dance floor.
On my way out of the toilets, where it’s quieter, I hear the familiar voice of a man followed by a girly giggle.
My first thought is that it’s Connor. Being slightly tipsy, I decide investigating is a good idea.
“Have you been a naughty elf?” the deep rumble of a voice I know all too well reaches my ears, and, if I’m being honest, all the way down to my panties as well.
“I have. What are you going to do about it?” a teasing female voice replies.
“Declan?” I ask when I find him huddled in a corner under fake mistletoe with an unknown brunette in a green elf hat. I cover my mouth to hide my giggles as he turns to me with a mortified expression, the white pompom of his Santa hat flopping onto his face from the speed in which he whips his head around.
“Elle?” he practically squeals, batting the pompom away. “What are you doing here?”
“Dancing, drinking, having fun.” I give up my pretense and let the laughter roll out. “I’m sorry. I was assured no one I know would be here, let alone my boss.”
“Oh. She works for you?” The brunette relaxes, drawing back her proverbial claws.
“Yes, she does,” Declan affirms, and I don’t miss how his eyes keep drifting down my body, though he’s making a valiant attempt to stay focused on my face.
Ten points to Connor for the wardrobe selection.
“I apologize for the interruption. Please proceed.” I snort again. “I’ll see you Monday, Dec.”
“See you Monday, Elle,” he musters with an embarrassed looking half-smile.
I take a few steps, then venture a look over my shoulder and don’t miss the daggers the girl he’s with shoots at him when his eyes follow me walking away.
“Okay, I’ve officially maxed myself out tonight,” I declare to Connor when I return to the bar. “You good?”
“I am A-Okay, baby girl,” Connor assures me with a not-entirely-sober smile, his red nose falling off when he blows a kiss at James across the bar, who promptly catches it and tucks it into his pocket. “Talk to you tomorrow.”
“Night, Con.” I kiss him on the cheek before waving at James and exiting the club to wait for my Uber when out of nowhere, a large hand rests on my shoulder.
My first instinct is to turn and smack the motherfucker up the head full force with my purse. My second is utter mortification when I realize I just assaulted my boss.
“Shit! Dec, are you okay?” I ask in a rush and run my palm over the part of his head I bashed.
Way to cop a drunk feel, Elle. Mental high five!
“Yeah. Good instincts.”
“Sorry about that.” I wince, offering him his Santa hat, which fell to the sidewalk.
“No, no, I’m glad you have good survival skills,” he hurries to assure me with an amused smile. “I wanted to make sure things weren’t going to be weird in the office.”
“Why would they be?” I frown.
“I, uh… I don’t know.” Declan scrunches his nose in thought. “You look…” He stops to think of a word, “You look wow, by the way.”
“I know,” I reply with a sassy grin, walking up to my Uber that has just arrived. “Have fun, Dec. Watch out for those claws, though. Your naughty elf seemed ready to pounce.”
“See you Monday,” he says again with a chuckle, and I wiggle my fingers at him.