Page 123 of It's Not PMS, It's You

I led Nick through the crowd, stopping to say hello to many of the other partners in the firm. A waiter stopped in front of us with a tray of champagne, but we both declined, opting to head to the bar for a beer.

I clinked my Heineken bottle against Nick’s Corona bottle. “Thank you for coming.”

“You’re welcome.”

Another waiter stopped in front of us with a platter. “Crispy coconut shrimp with orange marmalade sauce?”

I nodded. “Yes, please.” I grabbed a napkin and one of the shrimp, dipped it in the sauce, and ate it. “Ooh, that’s good. You have to try this, Nicky.”

Nick followed my lead, grabbing one of the shrimp, dipping it in the sauce, and eating it.

He chewed and nodded his head. “You’re right. Amazing.”

The waiter started to walk away.

“Wait,” I practically yelled.

He turned back around and grinned. “One more?”

“Yes. Please.” After eating another shrimp, I licked my fingers, and took another sip of my beer.

Nick chuckled. “I like a woman who eats.”

“You won’t ever see me being shy or self-conscious about it.”

“I like that. And speaking of women . . . are you the only one here?”

“I’m the only female partner at the company.”

Nick glanced around the Courtyard Terrace. “Butyoubrought a date. Why didn’t any of these guys bring their significant others? Or were they all just smarter than me?”

I laughed. “You’re smart because you know how to get on my good side. But all the women are together on the far side of the courtyard. They’re known as the Abandoned Wives Club and they do everything together, like widows. They’re always as far away from their spouses as possible since the guys only talk about business at our parties.”

“I’m expecting a hundred-grand bonus,” the voice said behind me.

“Me too,” said someone else. “I’ve had my eye on the new Jag. Have you seen that baby? That’s why I work fourteen hours a day. I’m sporting wood just thinking about it.”

Nick set his beer on the cocktail table, shaking his head. “Everyone makes a lot of money but doesn’t have time to spend it or enjoy it.”

“That’s a fair assessment.”

“The company doesn’t believe in a work-life balance.”

“No. They don’t.”

He crinkled his forehead. “Andwhyis this appealing to you?”

I opened my mouth and closed it.

“I guess I’m trying to see your point of view. Why you would sign up for this lifestyle in the first place?”

I sighed and lowered my voice. “Honestly, it’s not as appealing as it used to be. And I blameyoufor that.” I poked him in the arm with my finger.

He grinned. “You mean youthankme, not blame me, right? You got a taste of the good life and now you’re hooked on Nick-fil-A.”

I laughed. “You got that right.” I took a step toward Nick and stood on my toes to kiss him, but then stopped myself, and pulled back after realizing where I was.

Nick held his palms up. “What? The company doesn’t allow you to have feelings either?”