Free Reasons Not to Fall in Love by Kirsty Moseley Page B

adjust my eyes to the bright lighting, but it was no use, everything was slightly blurry from the alcohol. “Bronwyn, I think we should get you some coffee. Harrison Baxter, really?” she said sarcastically, raising one eyebrow at me.
    I shrugged and flopped onto the plush red velvet sofa that looked oddly out of place in a hotel bathroom. “He’s so irresistible,” I replied as if that was a legitimate excuse. “Besides, he kissed me, not the other way around.”
    She laughed and plopped down next to me. “From what I saw, you were doing your fair share of the kissing too,” she countered.
    I sighed and put my head on her shoulder. Tears were building in my eyes. It was probably just the alcohol or something, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that when Harrison kissed me I just felt beautiful. For someone like Harrison Baxter to show the slightest bit of interest in me, I felt like a million pounds. But now I was crashing back down to earth with a bump.
    “What’s wrong with me, Skye?” I asked, swallowing the lump in my throat.
    She pulled back and stroked the side of my face. “Nothing. You’re a beautiful person, both inside and out. You’re just vulnerable right now what with the divorce and everything. Just give yourself time. A fling with Harrison isn’t the answer to your questions. For him it would just be a one night stand, nothing more. You would wake up tomorrow feeling used and dirty. You two get on so great, don’t ruin that for a quick roll in the sheets, OK?” She looked at me pleadingly.
    I nodded in agreement. Of course, I knew she was right. We
did
get on great, and if anything had happened it would be awkward next time I saw him at a birthday celebration or something. But in the back of my head, a one night stand just sounded so incredibly appealing. One night of feeling special, one night of being wanted, one night of not feeling second best to some other girl. I wanted that so badly.
    Skye sighed and hugged me tightly. “I’ve got go back out there. They’re gonna do speeches in a minute I think. Why don’t you get a taxi home to mine? You’re wasted.”
    I smiled and nodded. Going home was probably a smart idea right now. I didn’t exactly need any more drink, I didn’t want to turn into an emotional drunk and ruin her night. “Yeah, I think I will go actually. You sure Brandon won’t mind me sloping off early?” I asked, wincing.
    “Of course not.” She shook her head. “If you go to the hotel reception and tell them you’re with Baxter and Hanklin Consultancies, they’ll put your taxi on the company account. Brandon has a few taxis on standby tonight in case his clients take advantage of the free bar.” She took my hands and gave me a tug to get me on my feet.
    “I hope I didn’t ruin your night,” I said quietly.
    She clicked her tongue and shook her head adamantly. “You didn’t, don’t worry. Now go home before you puke,” she instructed, pulling me into a hug.
    I smiled. “OK, thanks. And do me a favour, make sure you get laid tonight, all right? I can then live my sex life vicariously through you, seeing as mine is non-existent.” I winked at her teasingly.
    She laughed and saluted me. “I promise to do my best,” she vowed. “You have a key to mine?” I nodded in answer, pointing to my little clutch bag that dangled loosely from my wrist.
    I watched as she headed back into the function room before I drunkenly walked to the hotel reception and asked them to get me a taxi to take me to Skye’s house. Less than a couple of minutes passed before the receptionist told me that a taxi was waiting out the front as requested. Kicking my shoes off, because I was wobbling drunkenly on my thin heels, I made my way to the front door. Just as I got there, a hand wrapped around my elbow and pulled me to a stop. I turned back, too drunk to be afraid that I was going to be mugged or abused. Luckily – or maybe unluckily, depending on how you looked at it – it was