Page 45 of Pure Abandon

I’m only pulled back into reality when my phone rings.

“Hey, baby.” Gabriel is unusually chipper for midweek. I feel instant calm. Just hearing his voice grounds me.

“I needed to hear your voice.”

“Everything okay? Asher riding you hard today?”

I nearly fall out of my chair. My pen, however, does fall from my hand. Thank God it’s the only thing I’m holding.

“Not exactly. Just… overwhelmed.”

“That is a way to describe you in most scenarios, Kat. But you always manage to come out on top.”

“Thank you. Where are you?”

“I was calling to say I’m heading home early. I can’t take the office anymore, and I just want to hang out with Jack. Maybe take him to the park or something.”

“That sounds great. I’m jealous.” I smile back at the desktop photo of Gabriel and Jackson.

“Since you’re having a crazy day, why don’t you go get a manicure or something on your way home? You need some alone time. Jack and I can do some male bonding.”

“You’re amazing, Gabe, but I’m good. I’ll just come home.”

“Are you sure? You should do something for yourself.”

Do something for myself? I look at the calendar on my computer and see the inter office event scheduled for tonight.

“Well…my coworkers are going out after work for drinks for Heather’s birthday. Do you mind if I do that instead?”

“That sounds like fun. You need to make more friends.”

“I find my life is quite full. Why do I need anyone but you and Jackson?”

“That’s why we love you. Go out tonight. Have fun. Just promise you’ll take a cab home.”

“I will. Talk to you later.”

“Bye, baby.”

Yes, a drink is exactly what I need to unwind.

Malory and I step into the Whiskey Blue at the W Hotel. With its navy snakeskin-leather club chairs and dim lighting, the place is a modern-day take on an old New York gentlemen’s club. The zebra-striped couches bring an added flair that makes it the perfect spot for the young office set.

The place is swimming with suits and Louboutin-wearing young women hoping to meet their seven-figure mogul future husbands. These women are dressed to the nines.

Before leaving the office, Malory insisted we freshen up. I touched up my makeup and let my hair down, while Malory took the liberty of removing my cardigan. That is before the inquisition about Asher’s visit to my office started in the cab ride over here.

I rolled my eyes. “Please tell me I can go to the ladies’ room without someone tracking my every move?”

Malory laughed. “It’s not your moves they’re tracking. It’s Asher’s. Everyone saw him go to your office.”

The cab cruised up Park Avenue. I only had to make it a few blocks before exiting the conversation. As much as Malory was my closest confidant at our previous job, I just didn’t want to give her any reason to think something is amiss with Asher. I value her respect too much.

Malory’s eyes studied me, but I never faltered. Our conversation shifted to shoes, and by the time we arrived at Lexington and 49th, we decided to swap. Her red stilettos gave me the added color she said I needed for a night on the town. I traded her my beige patent leathers, which, of course, she made look sexy as hell.

“Damn, girl, your legs look killer in those shoes. You should wear higher heels from now on.”

“No, thank you,” I say as I almost lose my balance. “Three-inch heels are as high as I need for the workday. How do you last in these things all day?”