Marie, 22:50: ‘Text me when Nic’s gone.’
Marie 22:55: ‘Jason and I are going to get a drink’.
Marie 22:53: ‘His friend’s name is Oliver. Talk to him.'
Elle rolled her eyes, she could already see how the evening would play out, though she should’ve expected it the moment Marie chose to wear her lucky red dress. Jason stood no chance against it, but with how quickly he had made her flustered, he might survive the night.
She placed her phone on the table with a clunk that reverberated in the silence. Thankfully, Nic had stormed off as soon as Marie had left, throwing a tantrum that had his date disappearing into the crowd, leaving him alone on New Year's Eve.
Elle snickered.
“An ex, I presume?”
Jason’s friend, Oliver, was still standing where his friend had left him, looking about as surprised to be left alone as she was. However, he didn’t slink away from the table and instead pulled up a seat.
“Yes. They broke up on Christmas after weeks of him cheating.” Elle wrinkled her nose.
“That must hit close to home.”
“What?” She startled. Did he know her or, worse, Ben?
“Your reaction. It was quite telling.”
A small smile appeared at the edge of his lips. Elle appraised the man. He was handsome, sure, but at this party everyone seemed to have received the best genetics from their parents. There was something else about him, something that made him not quite fit in the crowd. Maybe it was the dark stubble he hadn’t bothered to shave away or his suit not fitting perfect enough to be tailored?
“Unfortunately, there are many cheating men out there.” She huffed.
“Women too.”
Elle threw him a look, but it fizzled away when she saw his gaze was turned on his drink, a sad smile on his lips. She sighed and lifted her drink. “To shitty exs. May they find each other and live crappily ever after.”
Oliver grinned and clinked his glass to hers. Their eyes met and hooked on each other. Yes, he was very handsome, with black quaffed hair and dark eyes that seemed to drink her in. Elle broke eye contact first, throwing back her drink and wincing. Champagne was not meant for shotting; it made her belly feel all bubbly and light. At least, she was fairly certain it was the alcohol.
Marie 23:15; ‘We’re headed back to yours. See you tomorrow?’
Elle 23:15; ‘I’ll come too.’
Marie 23:17; ‘Trust me, you’re not gonna want to be there. Stay and enjoy the party with Oliver... He’s recently single ;)'
Elle groaned again. Marie was staying at hers that night, while Sam was at Marie’s house being watched by her mum. It was a toss up thinking what was worse; going home now and being subjected to the thin walls of the apartment or staying at the party with an unexpected date. Well, at least he was a good-looking unexpected date. Maybe this option wouldn’t be so bad.
Oliver chuckled, sliding his phone back into his pocket. “Well, Elle, it looks like we’ve been ditched. We can call it a night if you’d prefer?”
She shuddered at the thought of being subjected to noisy s*x. Again. “There’s worse company to have.”
“Like Nic the prick?”
She laughed. “Exactly. You’re better company than Nic the prick.”
“I’m honoured.” He chuckled. “Well, if you’re staying, can I buy you a drink?”
There was a sparkle in his eye that held a hope that warmed through her. It had been a while since someone other than Marie and Sam had wanted her company.
“I would, but I don’t think they have coffee.”
Oliver grinned and stood with a flourish. “Come with me.”
Elle paused for only a moment before smothering her concerns and following him. He offered his arm, and she slipped a hand around his elbow, unable to stop a smile blooming on her lips. He led her through the busy room with a confident grace that made others part for the pair. People watched them as they passed, women mainly. It made her reconsider him. Maybe he did belong among these people afterwall. He walked like he did, looked like he did, spoke like he did.
“Were you invited here or did you have to buy a ticket?”
“An invite.”
“I guess you’re some kind of fancy business owner then?”
“Fancy business owner. I like that. I think that’ll be my new title. Fancy business owner Oliver.”
Elle nudged him. “So are you? Is that how you got the invite?”
“Something like that.” He shrugged. “How about you? Are you also a fancy business owner?”
“No. I’m a fancy ticket stealer.” She laughed. “Marie got the tickets for her and Nic...”
“Ah, so I should really thank him for his indiscretions.” Oliver paused at the bottom of a set of stairs she hadn’t noticed before, looking down at her with a shine in his eyes. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have met you.”
A warm flush coloured her cheeks, but he saved her the embarrassment of whatever stuttered reply she would've formed and started up the stairs. They were tucked out of the way, around a corner from the main party. It was a surprise he even knew they were there. He must've been a regular at these kind of fancy events.
“You’re not taking me somewhere quiet to murder me, are you?”
“Now what kind of serial killer would I be if I told you that?”
She squeezed his arm at his teasings, but her breath caught... Because of the stairs, of course, not the feel of his warmth beneath his suit jacket.
“Okay, but I warn you, I’m not a fan of surprises.”
Oliver laughed. “I think you’ll like this one.”
She rolled her eyes unconvinced but was too intrigued to stop their little adventure. Though, as the noise of the party drifted away when they reached the 1st floor, and he led her through a grand doorway to another large room, she had to admit she was impressed.
This room wasn’t as gaudy as the one below, only some tasteful balloons standing proud in the corners. Few guests had made their way to this floor, giving it a quiet hush that was intimate. Warm. Her shoulders eased, the chaos of the party downstairs melting away in the relative quiet, but she couldn’t help but get excited when she saw it. Standing glorious behind an ornate bar. An espresso machine.
“Your drink awaits.” Oliver grinned.