Intoxicated Read Online Free PDF Page B

propose a toast,” Gracie
announced, raising her cup, “to the best mortgage underwriter the
state of Indiana has ever seen. May she follow her dreams and help
others achieve the goal of homeownership.”
    “Cheers,” we all said in unison, the three of
us with cups touching them together.
    I dissolved into a fit of giggles.
    “Hey,” Gracie said with mock anger, “I worked
really hard on that toast last night. No, in all seriousness, I
don’t think they could have picked a better lady for the job. You
have been one of the best coworkers and friends I could ever have
met. I already miss you terribly, and you haven’t even left
yet.”
    “Thanks, hon,” I said, blushing again.
    “Gracie’s right,” my father confirmed. “Your
hard work and determination got you exactly what you wanted. You’ve
been groomed for that job, and no matter how much you think it is a
surprise, everyone here saw it coming. And to be here to see that
my daughter has achieved her goals is probably one of the best
moments of my life. Your mother would be so happy for you.”
    He brushed a tear from his eye, and the room
got uncomfortably quiet. My father didn’t bring up the subject of
my mother often; it pained him too much. And to mention her in
front of other people was something I had never seen him do. The
gravity of the moment hit me hard, and I blinked back my own fresh
tears.
    Beside me, Eric fidgeted uncomfortably. He
kept checking his watch, and I knew he was concocting an excuse to
leave. Gracie also noticed, and her look could have shot daggers in
his direction. He cleared his throat before speaking.
    “I have a plane to catch.”
    Was that the truth, or just the best he could
come up with?
    “Oh, okay. Let me walk you out.” I set down
my cup and excused myself, trailing behind Eric.
    He stopped once we got into the hallway to
allow me to catch up. The visible tension in his body disappeared,
and he reached over to take my hand. We walked down the stairs and
out to the parking lot in silence. His BMW was parked beside the
now overflowing Honda. He stared at my car for a moment, a slow
smile spreading across his features.
    “You know,” he drawled, “you could always
take your car over to my place and unload your stuff there.”
    “Eric, I don’t want to fight about this
anymore.”
    “I know. Just figured I would give it one
last shot. You know I’m serious, right?”
    I nodded, my heart sinking. After ten years
of dating, the only way I would know he was serious was if he
produced a diamond ring out of his pocket. As often as he mentioned
giving me the world, buying me a new car and letting me shack up in
his high rise, he wasn’t yet willing to make it official. He
wouldn’t give me his commitment.
    “Are you really leaving?”
    “You mean was the plane an excuse to get out
of there before Gracie bit my head off? Only partially. I can tell
where I’m not wanted. But I do have to be on a flight in about
three hours. Heading down to Atlanta for a conference. Thought I
might get a few hours of entertainment in before it starts bright
and early Monday morning.”
    “Oh.”
    “So, I guess this is it then. Be careful
driving. I’ll call you sometime tomorrow after we both get settled
in.”
    He turned away from me to open his car door,
effectively putting the glass and metal between us. Awkwardly, he
gave me a small kiss while leaning over the door frame. The gesture
would have been sufficient if I was his grandmother, but not for a
departing girlfriend. Satisfied with his attempt at showing me
affection, he lowered himself into the leather seat. The door
closed with a solid, well- engineered thud. Eric started the
ignition and the engine purred to life. The power window lowered
and I bent down to hear him better over the music that played over
his premium sound system.
    “Goodbye, Lauren.”
    “Bye, Eric.”
    He put the car into reverse and backed out of
the space. I watched his taillights disappear from my