Page 5 of The World

Parker:Ah, I see. Sorry, babe. Go home, get drunk, watch porn?

I sighed. In truth, I couldn't afford to miss out on the chance to earn $400 for next month's rent, but I wouldn't say that. Parker felt bad enough about leaving me in the lurch.

Me:Nah. Gotta be professional.

Parker:Is the guy still around? Can you kick his ass?

I snorted. Parker was one of the most patient, peaceful people I knew.

Me:Get rough, you think? Good call.

Parker:Totes. Just walk up, slap a glove across his face, and demand satisfaction.

Me:Have you been watching Death Comes to Pemberley again? “We must hope he died in a duel?”

Parker:None of your business.

Me:Love you.

Parker:Back atcha. And remember, E, the only opportunities you miss are the ones that weren't meant for you in the first place.

I slid my phone back in my pocket. He was right. I knew it. But God, when wasmyopportunity going to come?

I stood on tiptoe and triedagainto make the bartender notice me, then resorted to waving my arm obnoxiously like I was watching the fucking Titanic leave port, before the dude finally took pity on me, glanced my way, and got me a Sam Adams. He took the emergency ten dollars I pulled from the back of my wallet and returned just enough change for me to tuck into his tip jar.

Ugh. I was going to have to get a second job. Either that or move back to O’Leary and give my parents, who ended every phone call with, “Oh, Sunshine, someday you’ll wake up and realize that dreams don’t always come true!”,the satisfaction of thinking they’d known what was best for me all along. Fuck that. Wars had been fought for less compelling reasons.

“Grab those raffle tickets, friends, and make your final selections!” the club’s emcee announced over the speakers. “In justten minutes,Candie Floss will be drawing our winners!”

I sighed, but smiled a little too, feeling my bad mood fall away. I’d have liked a trip, but that was life. The thrill, the risk, the dumb luck, the way shit changed with the snap of a finger… or a hot guy falling into you. To enjoy the sweet stuff, I had to put up with the bitter.

“Excuse me?” Someone tapped me lightly on the shoulder.

I turned my head and found Simone, the woman from earlier, grinning ear-to-ear.

“We found you!” she said triumphantly. “Here you go. I took the liberty of putting five tickets into each of the baskets for you. These are the stubs.” She pushed a string of tickets into my palm.

“You… what? Really?” My heart beat faster. Five tickets in each basket? That wasamazing.

She winked. “Perk of the job. Besides, itwasTaika’s fault you dropped yours.” She pulled her friend forward by the wrist. “Wasn’t it?”

“Partly,” the suit…Taika… allowed. “Maybe.”

“You’re ridiculous,” Simone told him.

I wanted to roll my eyes. I wanted to laugh out loud, because Taika looked like a model and sounded like an overgrown toddler. I wanted to do a little dance right then and there, but I refrained.

“Thank you so much,” I told Simone. “This was really kind of you.”

“Happy to help!” she said. She glanced away and checked the display on her phone, then rolled her eyes. “God. Be right back. The emcee needs help with the baskets.”

But to my surprise, when she scurried off, Taika didn’t go with her.

“Listen,” he said slowly. “I… apologize that you thought I bumped you.”

“That Ithoughtyou bumped me?”

“That’s what I said. And I really hope you won’t write anything bad about Simone just because you’re upset at me.” He looked almostnervous, and I had the feeling that was totally out of character for this man who wore arrogance like a second skin.