Chapter Six
Eliza
Turns out I didn’t have all that much time to worry about an apartment. Planning my very first party in such a short space of time was chaotic—but in all the best ways. I couldn’t believe how quickly I had fallen into work, and how easy I found it to work alongside Mae. She was incredible at showing me the ropes, and the two of us were becoming fast friends. We were at the venue, looking around at what we had done and taking a moment to breathe. Mae took my hand and led me to the bar where she ordered us both a glass of wine.
“I don’t normally drink on jobs, but I think we both deserve this. It’s been a crazy few days trying to put all of this together, but I think it’s come along nicely. Don’t you?”
I looked around and grinned. The place looked fantastic, and the crowd seemed to be loving it. “It’s perfect. And you know what? These guys seem a lot better than I thought they would be.”
“Yeah, tell me about it. They’re actually really nice. Well, except that weirdo that hit on me earlier.”
I laughed. “I’m not even sure if he was a part of this crowd. He’s like, the only guy not in a leather jacket.”
“Yeah,” Mae said, looking around. “The testosterone is high in this place tonight. So, are these your type of men?”
“I don’t know. I honestly don’t have a type right now. How about you? Oh, probably not. These guys are like, the complete opposite of John.”
“Yeah, I like my guys soft around the edges. I like them to be clean-cut. There are some very good-looking guys here, but nobody I’d take home to Mom.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, that’s true. Well, I’m feeling good about being here. I was worried, but this has been great. Thanks for helping me out.”
“Are you kidding me? I’m the one that should be thanking you. Honestly, I don’t know what I would’ve done without you. I think you and I should team up as often as possible. What do you think?”
I grinned. “I like that idea!”
“Well, look over there. Some guy is looking right at you.”
I looked to where Mae was gazing and saw a man staring our way. He was every bit the typical motorcycle rider—muscular, tattoos all over, dark hair, five o clock shadow. He was everything that John wasn’t. I chuckled.
“Maybe he’s looking at you?” I suggested.
“Nah,” she said knowingly. “Guys like that never go for me. I think they sense that I wouldn’t be interested. Oh, he’s coming this way. That’s my cue to go.”
“What?” I said. “Where are you going?”
“To give you guys the chance to talk. I’m nice like that.”
“Mae!” I said, but it was too late. She had gone, and the good-looking biker was coming my way.
He was even better looking up close, and I noticed that his eyes were bright green and incredibly seductive. I felt immediately annoyed by him. This was a guy who clearly knew that he was good-looking. I thought of Raymond and sighed. I’d had enough of having men in my life for a while. But I wasn’t one to be rude, so instead of walking away, I stood my ground and smiled right back at him.
“Hi. I couldn’t help but notice you,” he started.
“Oh yeah? That’s probably because I’m one of the only females in this whole place. Don’t these guys have wives?”
The man laughed. “They do. And they’re all probably on their way. The guys like to ride on their bikes everywhere. Their wives and girlfriends will probably follow in a car.”
“Is that what your girlfriend is doing?”
“If I had a girlfriend, I wouldn’t be talking to you.”
I raised my eyebrows and nodded. “Well, that’s good, at least. I’m Eliza, by the way.”
“Nice to meet you, Eliza,” he said. “I’m Gunner.”
“Gunner? That’s an interesting name.”
“Well, my name’s Ian. But everyone calls me Gunner. Pretty much everyone at the club has a nickname. You’re given one when you become a member.”
“I like that. I wonder what they’d name me.”
Gunner looked me up and down with so much intensity that I shivered. Not even Raymond had looked at me with that much scrutiny in a long time.
“Probably ‘Lashes,’” he said. Then he grinned. “Yeah, that’s your name. Lashes.”
“Lashes? Why on earth are you calling me that?”
“You have the most beautiful eyelashes I’ve ever seen on anyone.”
I groaned and blushed at the same time. I was equally embarrassed and annoyed by the comment. “Seriously? Is that a line you use on most girls?”
“It’s not a line. It’s the truth. And if you’re so revolted by the compliment, then why are you blushing?”
“I’m not blushing. I’m just . . . well, fine, I’m blushing. I’m not used to compliments. That’s all.”
“You’re not? That’s hard to believe.”
“Okay, let’s stop this. I’m going to be as red as my shoes soon.”
He looked down. “They’re very nice shoes.”
I tapped them together like Dorothy and wondered if he’d even get the reference. “Thank you. I think so, too.”
“So, what exactly brings you to this fundraiser, Lashes? Or are you looking to become a part of the motorcycle club?”
“Oh yeah, I can just see myself riding a motorcycle!” I laughed at the thought. “Actually, I’m the party planner. I helped to put this whole thing together.”
“Oh, cool. Well, you did an awesome job. I must say, doing it in a pub was a good move.”
I beamed at him. “Really? That was my idea. I’m glad to hear it. I figured you guys would like it. It’s actually my first assignment at my new job, so I was a bit nervous about it all. Not only that but we only had a few days to put the whole thing together. But I’m feeling good about it now that everyone is here.”
“Is that why you’re having a glass of wine?”
“Yes, it’s all in the name of celebration.”
“We should celebrate some more.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I should take you out for dinner after this.”
He was good-looking, and pretty smooth, but I wasn’t ready to date anyone just yet. I shook my head. “There’s food here,” I said. “And seeing as though I’m the one that organized it, I’d actually like to see everyone eating it.”
“Fair enough. Well, how about drinks after?”
“I’m actually leaving after this glass of wine. We were just here to make sure that everything was running smoothly. But we’re leaving soon. But thank you, that’s nice of you to ask.”
“Fine. Then how about tomorrow? I’ll pick you up for dinner. And if you have plans for tomorrow, then we can make it the day after that, and so on and so on. In other words, I’m not giving up until you say yes.”
I looked at Gunner in surprise. I wasn’t used to being hit on like this. Usually, men backed off when you said no. I’d also been with Raymond for such a long time that I had forgotten what it was like for another man to pay me attention. Gunner took my hand, and I felt a jolt run up my arm.
“It’s just one date. And if you hate me, at least you would’ve gotten a nice dinner out of it.”
He let go of my hand, and I was surprised by how nice it had felt. It was his gentleness that had surprised me. Especially from a man who looked the way he did. I was so used to Raymond’s abuse that this soft touch had taken me by surprise.
“Okay,” I found myself saying, even though I’d been adamant that I would be saying no.
He grinned. “Wonderful. I’ll pick you up tomorrow. Can I get your number? I’ll send you a text, and you can reply with your address.”
I gave him my number and then excused myself to find Mae. A sinking feeling had just come over me as I realized that I had no address to give him. And would he really want to know that I was living out of my car? Mae saw my face and sighed.
“Was he a jerk?” she asked.
I shook my head. “No, he was surprisingly nice. And he asked me out to dinner. And I said yes.”
“So, why do you look so upset?”
I sighed. I still hadn’t told Mae about my situation, but the two of us were becoming close, and I knew that it was only a matter of time before I told her everything.
“Look, there’s something I haven’t told you.”
“You’re into girls!”
I laughed. “No! I wish. Actually, I had a really horrible boyfriend in California. That’s a story for another day. But let’s just say that when I got this job, I pretty much left him passed out on the sofa without saying anything. I drove straight here and started working with you. It was rather serendipitous, if you ask me, and probably the bravest and smartest thing that I’ve ever done.”
“Wow, kudos on leaving the bastard! You deserve better than that. So, what’s the problem? Scared that guy is going to be the same?”
“No, not really. I mean, I don’t exactly want to start dating again. But dinner with a nice guy actually sounds good for a change. But . . . well, he said he’s going to pick me up from my place. And I . . . I sort of don’t have a place.”
“What do you mean? Where have you been staying, then?”
I looked down at my feet, and then back up at her. “In my car.”
“You’ve been staying in your car? Are you serious?”
“Yeah. I mean, it’s only temporary. I just haven’t had the time to find a place yet. I drove here, slept the night, got to the job, and then it’s just been too busy for me to look around.”
“But you’re always so clean.”
I laughed. “Thank you. I’ve been showering at the gym. Paying them per day. Did you know that they have irons at the gym? I’ve been taking my clothes in each day so that I don’t look like a homeless person. It’s crazy, I know!”
“It’s definitely crazy. You should’ve told me. And there’s no way that I’m letting you sleep in your car anymore. You’re staying with me!”
“What? No, I can’t do that. You’ve already been so great to me.”
“You’re staying with me, and I won’t hear anything more on it. Honestly, I’m not saying this because I feel bad for you. Well, I do a little actually. But I’m saying it because I happen to really like you. I haven’t had a connection like this in a very long time. And it’s awesome to have you at Perfect Parties. Look at us; we talk like we’re old friends. And I’m sure you’d do the same for me. Now, you can stay as long as you want. Just use my place until you find something else. Okay?”
I almost started crying, I was so happy. Instead, I gave her a huge hug. “Okay. Thank you!”
“Now come on, let’s finish this wine and get out of here. I happen to have a bottle at home that needs some polishing off.”
“That sounds amazing right now.” I wasn’t sure what I was more excited about—the wine, or the fact that I was going to sleep on a real bed that night. Even the sofa would be better than the car.
“And, when you leave, don’t look back at the handsome biker. He’s looking this way. Just drink your wine and walk out. You want him to be the one looking after you, not the other way around.”
I chuckled, downed my glass of wine, and walked out with Mae. It was gearing up to be a very good day indeed.