Page 1 of Charm Me
Chapter 1
Zoe
I didn’t know whatgot into my friends tonight, but they were trying to get me drunk. That was typically my job.
I was the one that always ordered more drinks and insisted my uptight friends loosened up and had a little fun. Uptight might not be the right phrase—maybe serious and too grown up for their age was a better descriptor. Regardless, the role reversal had me more than a little confused.
I sat back in my chair, arms crossed over my chest, and narrowed my eyes on them. “When are you two going to tell me what’s going on?”
“What do you mean?” Stephanie shimmied in her seat and gave me a sly grin.
“You’re drunk, Steph.” I glanced over at Kate and she fumbled with her drink, dribbling it down her chin. “And you’re drunk, too. Did I miss a memo or something?”
Kate waved at Luke, our favorite bartender, for another round. The Rock Room was our favorite drinking spot. We came here often for happy hour or anytime we needed to unwind. “Come on. It’s not like you to be a spoilsport.”
I shook my head and grabbed Kate’s hand, pulling it down. “Kate, I cannot have another drink. I’ve got to work in the morning and I’m pretty sure both of you do too.”
“Not me.” Kate shot her arms above her head and cheered. “I work for myself now, remember.”
“Yeah, I remember.” I laughed. Kate recently left her high-profile, high-stress job as an advertising executive to pursue her boudoir photography business. I couldn’t be prouder of her for taking this step in her creative career. “But, seriously. Since when do you two try and get me drunk on a Sunday night? It’s my job to get you two drunk, not the other way around.”
“Since you became a stick in the mud and started stressing out about work.” Stephanie leaned forward and pointed at me like she was about to launch into one of her lectures. I loved Stephanie but she could be stubborn and when she set her mind to an idea, she’d never let it go.
“Oh, those are fighting words. I’m not a stick in the mud. It’s called a career opportunity.” I wasn’t used to being on the other end of these conversations. I was usually the one dishing it out.
Maybe I do need another drink.
Kate and Stephanie looked at each other and rolled their eyes before Stephanie turned her eyes back to me. “Oh come on, Zoe. You’ve never taken your career this seriously before. Why now?”
That statement burned right through me and I scowled. “Why does everyone assume my career isn’t important to me? Just because I like to have fun doesn’t mean I can’t be serious when I need to be.”
I took a gulp of my drink and immediately regretted it. I already had a nice buzz going and I couldn’t afford to get full-on drunk. Tomorrow’s presentation was too important to fuck up with a hangover. This was the kind of opportunity that could elevate my career to the next level, and I’d been busting my ass for weeks to make sure my proposal and presentation were flawless. Kate and Stephanie knew that, and I couldn’t believe they were giving me such a hard time about it.
“No, it’s just—”
“Listen.” I held my hand up and cut Stephanie off before she could continue. “I’ve always taken my career seriously. Tomorrow’s presentation is huge. If I nail it and win this client, I’ll finally prove to my boss that my ideas are solid and that there’s a huge need for it. Do you know how many ranches and farms struggle with financial stability? I can help them.”
“We know you can, you’re a brilliant financial analyst and planner.” Kate said, and then broke into a high-pitch squeal when Luke sat down our next round of drinks. I rolled my eyes and sighed. Was this how I acted while trying to get them to cut loose? If so, I needed to chill out, because this shit was frustrating.
Kate lifted her drink and smiled at me. “Cheers to Zoe. Kick ass tomorrow so we can have our fun-loving friend back. You haven’t told us a joke in two weeks.”
“You want a joke?” They both nodded. “Fine. Do you want to hear a joke about my vagina?”
“Yes!” They both said at the same time with huge grins on their faces.
I shook my head and frowned. “Never mind. You’ll never get it.”
They glared at me and then looked at each other before they tossed their heads back in laughter. It wasn’t my best joke and was more fitting for a man, but it was the first thing that came to mind.
“Just let me get through this week and by Saturday night, I promise to be back to my old self.” We had plans to hit up Boots—the best line dancing club in the city—this weekend and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Combine my love of dancing with finishing this presentation, and I’d be ready to party by then.
I took one last sip of my drink and slid out of my seat. I glanced between my two best friends and suddenly I didn’t want to leave their drunk asses alone in the bar. “Do I need to call your men to pick you two up? I know they’d come for you if asked.”
They both burst out laughing again, and I couldn’t help but laugh too. It was rare to see them get this tipsy. If I weren’t so stressed about work, I’d join them in a heartbeat for a night of uninhibited fun. “Seriously, do I need to call them?”
“No, we already arranged for them to pick us up.” Kate leaned over and hugged me. “Don’t worry, we’ll be well taken care of when they come for us later. Now go get rest so you can nail this client to the wall tomorrow.”
I laughed and squeezed Kate’s hand. “You wouldn’t phrase it like that if you knew how hot this guy was.”