Page 2 of The Mistaken Bet
With a double pat to my shoulders, him seemingly not having realised how far I had walked without focus, excitement speared through Daniel through the bounce in his toes as he stated, “Let’s do this!”
Chapter2
Kara
“Claire, do I really have to go tonight? It’s been a shit day at work, and I just fancy a hot soak in the bath. You know what I mean…” The words I had planned to say failed me as I met my friend’s fixed stare. “Come on, not the silent treatment. We’re not eleven again,” I coaxed as the cracks started to form on her face, revealing a massive grin.
The countdown ticked down in my head. I knew within ten seconds she would be in hysterics, struggling with her composure, never one to remain serious long term.
“Please? I really could do with this tonight, and you know how good a work party can be?”
The combination of her pleading tone and fluttering eyelashes was used if she wanted something, especially if I hadn’t immediately jumped at her request. It was hilarious in its own right. It was as if she’d forgotten I knew all her tricks. It wasn’t that it was a new game, more just a battle of wills—how far she was willing go and a test to see who was the most stubborn—until I gave in.
“You win,” I stated, knowing she would’ve continued her onslaught of pleas until she won anyway. I knew my resistance would have been futile to her begging. At least this way, I had the chance to be prepared for the night ahead.
Thirteen years of friendship stood between the pair of us after meeting in that first tutor group class at high school; we’ve been joined at the hip ever since. Two friends always in each other's pockets. College and work had allowed the pair of us to remain in the same circles, but Claire’s excitement had grown to another level when the agency I worked for gave me an opportunity I couldn’t miss: they sent me directly to her workplace at MUY Technologies, a manufacturing company that created high-end designs for the global market. Finally, Claire’s dream had become reality, even if it was a short-term offering.
Even though Claire was a top design guru, at work, I was the master of the engineering concepts and the brains behind the deal. Today had been one of those days when the numbers just wouldn’t correlate in the way I needed, making the current concept null and void. If I wasn’t able to rectify the algorithm and find a solution soon, it wouldn’t be just my head in the firing line, but losing an important contract worth hundreds of thousands of pounds would become a real risk. A lot of pressure for one person, but that was why the agency had sent me. I was known for working to tight deadlines and not folding under pressure. The Ice Queen was my hard-earned moniker in the trade, and nothing would flummox me or deter me from my game.
It was like she’d been planning this event for weeks. The stars had perfectly aligned to grant her wish.
She dragged me into the bedroom.
Thrown into my arms was a sequin, silver halterneck dress, and she dangled a pair of strappy wraparound heels from her fingertips.
“You’re expecting me to wear these out?” I ran my hands along the length of the heeled shoes. “I will break my neck.”
“Not expecting you to wear them. I know you will though. They’ll make a huge difference. They are sexy and hot as fuck. Why wouldn’t you want to wear them is more the question?” She thrust a pair of cushioned insoles towards me to protect my feet.“These will help. Now, scoot along: I have to make myself look fabulous, too, sweetie,” Claire stated, flicking her hair over her shoulder before ushering me into the bathroom so she could regain the entire bedroom for herself.
What the fuck? It’s my place, and I’m banished to the bathroom?
I huffed but plastered on a smile realising that, at least, I had the use of the mirror and other amenities, unlike her small compact.
Dressed and prepped, I was ready for the night ahead, and I hated admitting that Claire had made a perfect choice. The dress hit every curve of my body in the right place, like a second skin. With her fitted leather trousers and backless barely-there top, we were polar opposites, but I knew that the moment we stepped through those doors tonight, we would command the attention of the entire room. All eyes would be on us, dressed to captivate balanced with just the right amount of confidence. The knowledge made me smile.
Vines was set for a showstopper of an evening except for the slight issue: a double booking with another company, AnalyticGoals. I wasn’t going to allow that to stand in my way, though, so I wriggled through the room that was more packed than expected. Claire stopped by the entrance but ushered me to head to the bar whilst she caught up with whoever grabbed her at the door. Typical Claire: life, and soul of the party. She knew everyone by name, although that certainly ended up being a hindrance at times.
It’s all about the hips and the walk, I thought to myself.
The moment I reached the bottom step, I wished I’d stood my ground and worn alternative footwear. How was I going to manage standing all night?With my attention on my sore feet, I noticed two men dart in front of me to the dance floor, completely ignoring the people who were entering the venue down the staircase.
With the crowds behind me, and in my damn heels, I stumbled forward without a chance of catching myself. My mind raced quickly with images of how I could brace my fall without inflicting some damage on myself, but it never came. Instead, my palms landed against a firm, hard, chest, causing my skin to heat—from the adrenaline that travelled through my veins or the perfectly sculpted physique underneath my hands, I wasn’t sure.
My eyes flicked up and caught sight of a pair of baby blues. They locked onto mine with a mixture of uncertainty and desire. It was as if he was weighing a decision in his head, whereas mine had already been made: I knew that the Adonis in front of me had just made tonight a little more interesting.
“Sorry, I didn’t see you there.” He pointed to his friend. “This one was spouting bollocks at me again, trying to see if I solved the latest problem at work. I was distracted and totally not aware of my surroundings.” He said whilst I attempted to subtly clear my throat, the tingle of electricity racing through me halting my words from spewing as normal.
“Okay,” I whispered, lost at what to say. The guy had caught me in a trance. He was so unexpected and had saved me from an embarrassing fall. I wanted to thank him properly.
The last thing I needed was Claire running over to us with a wicked gleam in her eye as she spotted me with the unknowns. With no escape option available, even if I hadn’t been captured by baby-blue-eyes, I knew my friend and her bouncing persona would go into full overdrive status, so I jumped in before she could speak. “I’m Kara, and this is Claire, my best friend.”
“I'm Logan, and that’s Daniel.” He raised his bottle to take a swig before leaning against the bar.
“Ladies, do you fancy a drink? Least we can do,” Daniel asked pointing down at my ankle. “Or do you want to take the weight off it first?” he questioned, waiting for an answer alongside his friend.
Claire stood gobsmacked, seemingly unsure what the hell she had missed.
“Yep, that would be good, thanks,” I squeaked out as Claire side-eyed me, wrapping one arm around my waist.