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She grabs my finger and folds it down so it’s no longer pointing at her. “You would never. You love me too much. Plus, all in the name of justice, huh?”

“Shut up,” I retort, and the bitch laughs at me.

“You’re such a lightweight. The fact your hangover is lingering this long is crazy.” She walks away to make a copy of the document in her hand.

“Thank you for stating the obvious.” I lean back against my chair and slowly blink against the harsh light of the office. Whose idea was it to put these awful fluorescent lights in buildings?

I knew I shouldn’t have ordered shots, they’re always too much for me, but at least it did help play into me just being a stupid drunken girl act. I didn’t miss the way the guard kept eyeing me for the rest of the night. It was unsettling to say the least.

Her boots tap on the floor as she walks back over and perches on my desk. “For someone who doesn’t typically drink you were downing tequila like it was juice. I’m shocked you’re able to function at all today.” She extends her hands, admiring her sparkly pink polish that’s nearly the same shade as her hair. “I fully expected you to take a sick day.”

“Honestly, if Midnight didn’t wake me up with his claws in my arm I would’ve slept through the alarm. Little shit is rabid until he gets fed.” On multiple occasions I toyed with the idea of rehoming him, but I couldn’t do that to my dad. He might not remember Midnight anymore, butIknew how he begged me when he was still lucid to take care of the grumpy feline. I was also partially scared the cat would somehow find his way back, slit my throat in my sleep, and go on his merry way if I ever rehomed him.

Ava clears her throat pulling me out of my thoughts. There’s a glint in her eyes that makes me narrow mine in suspicion. “Ava,” I draw out the last syllable of her name. “What are you scheming?”

“I’m setting you up on a blind date.” She practically bounces where she sits, and I cross my arms, eyeing the clock on the wall behind her. Almost time for me to clock out.

“Oh really? When was I going to have a say in this?”

It’s sweet Ava wants to see me happy, but it’s also exhausting. Sure, I’d love to find someone I click with but that takes time and effort and a dedication that I just don’t have right now.

“Spencer has a cousin that’s a sweetheart. I think you’d really like him.” She reaches out and grabs my hands. “Just give him ashot Celine. Please? For me? I wouldn’t set you up with anyone I didn’t vet myself.”

This isn’t the first time she’s tried to set me up with someone. It’s not that the dates have been bad in the past, but I still hold onto the romantic notion I’ll meet someone naturally. But that would also require me to leave my place and put myself out there, which I don’t.

“What’s his name? What’s he like?” I mutter after she shows no sign of backing down. Hopefully my questions will serve to appease her.

Grabbing her phone and rolling with the small glimmer of hope I’ve given her, she pulls up the profile picture of an admittedly attractive man. He has inky black hair and wears wire frame glasses that make him look nerdy but hot. I’ve always been a sucker for a man in glasses so that gives him bonus points. He’s lean with ocean blue eyes. Bold letters highlight his name at the top of his profile. Asher Brooks.

“Isn’t he a cutie?” Scrolling through his feed she shows me various photos of him competitively swimming, posing at the gym showcasing his abs, and cuddling with his Siberian husky. “Loves animals, hot body, and single? Please Celine this should be the easiest yes of your life.”

“You dragged me to the club and now you’re trying to set me up on a blind date?” Slowly spinning in my chair, I squint my eyes at her.

“So says Miss Having-Sex-On-The-Dance-Floor last night.” She leans over and gives me a playful shove. “We never did talk about your dance partner from last night.”

I gaze wistfully out the window next to my desk and remember the dance from last night in my head. Our breaths mingling, warmth pressed against my back, and his muscled arm holding me like I’m something precious.

“A shame I didn’t get to see his face.” Suddenly realizing Ava was watching, I perk up. “Did you see him?”

Picking at her manicured nails, she says, “Our booth was pretty far back so I couldn’t see much besides the top of your heads. It looked like he had darker colored hair, but the lights made it hard to see exactly what shade.”

I slump back against the chair and wish I could’ve found out more about him. Obviously, it wasn’t meant to be, and I’m a big believer in the natural order of the universe. My dad always said everything happens for a reason.

“Pity. Well, that just means you’re a free agent and eligible to go on a date with Asher.” Typing away on her phone she continues to talk like I’ve responded. “I’m going to give him your number.”

Spinning back to my computer, I sigh, and she lets out a victorious hoorah before sashaying back over to her desk. Time for me to get out of here.

“Onto more important topics than my love life, since it’s time for me to clock out, I’m headed back over to Vex.” Turning off my desktop I gather my things and slide my aviators onto my head.

She narrows her eyes on me. “Celine.”

I give her side eye at her tone. “I want to scope the place out while there’s still some daylight left. See what kind of deliveries they might be getting. Plus, it’s not too far out of my way.”

She frowns, eyes darkening with a level of seriousness that’s rare for her. “Please be careful. If Luna’s right about what’s happening, then it’s not safe.”

I nod and she grabs my sweater sleeve as I pass by. “Don’t forget to answer Asher when he texts you.” She winks and I flatten my mouth but nod.

Captain Barnes waves from his desk when I walk out of the building, and I head to our small parking lot. Being downtown means not much parking, but as employees we have first dibs. Imanage to park in the same spot every morning with my early arrival.