Page 78 of Only You

“So people won’t know we drove together,” Jack concluded.

“Someone might see us, but at that point, who cares?” she said.

“Half of our coworkers will probably be drunk off their asses, anyway.”

“Let’s hope they have designated drivers.”

“I think that’s why Jim booked the party at a hotel ballroom, so people can stay the night if they need to.”

“Or for other reasons …” Kayla said.

Jack pretended to be scandalized. “Do you think some of our coworkers are sleeping together?”

Kayla chuckled. “Don’t you?”

Jack didn’t pay much attention to office gossip unless it was about him and Kayla. If their coworkers found out they were living together, they’d assume he and Kayla were having sex, but they couldn’t be more wrong.

Jack pulled into the hotel parking lot. “Here we are.” Per Kayla’s request, he dropped her off a short distance away from the main entrance.

“See you inside,” she said as she climbed out.

Jack watched her walk away, wishing he could have escorted her inside. He parked the car and entered the hotel a few minutes later. In the ballroom, he scanned the crowd until he spotted her with a group of coworkers near the bar. She already had a drink in her hand.

Jack was about to join her when someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and greeted Gillian, one of the pharmaceutical reps on his team. “Hey.”

“Hi. You look like you could use a drink,” Gillian said.

“I was just on my way to the bar,” Jack replied.

“I’ll go with you.”

“Okay.” Jack could have done without the escort, but he didn’t want to be rude. As they made their way across the room, he was waylaid by other coworkers, and Jim, his boss. He paused to say hello and make small talk, hoping Gillian would tire of following him around and peel off. By the time they got to the bar, Kayla had moved off and was talking to a new guy at the company named Grayson. Jack didn’t like how closely Grayson was standing to her, even though there was nothing he could do about it.

“What can I get you?” the bartender asked.

“I’ll take a beer.”

“I’ll have another rum and Coke,” said Gillian.

While they waited for their drinks, Gillian tried making small talk. “So what are your plans for the holidays?”

“My parents are visiting from Florida, so I’ll be hanging out with them.” And Kayla too. “What about you?”

Jack half listened to her answer, as he continued sneaking peeks at Kayla and Grayson. Grayson must have said something funny because Kayla tipped her head back and laughed. Grayson took the opportunity and peered at her cleavage, licking his lips.

“Here you go,” the bartender said, handing Jack a beer in a plastic cup.

“Thank you.” Jack returned his attention to Grayson and Kayla.

“And for the lady,” the bartender said, handing a cup to Gillian.

Gillian grinned. “Believe me, I’m no lady.”

Gillian was attractive and flirtatious, but she wasn’t Jack’s type. She came on too strong, like she was desperately seeking attention, and tonight was no different. “I’m going to mingle,” Jack said, and started moving away.

Gillian clamped a hand on his forearm. “Wait! Tom Watson is heading this way, and I don’t want to get trapped by him.”

Jack raised his eyebrows. “What’s wrong with Tom?”