Free Alluring Ties by Skye Turner

Lexi is picking at her nails and the pretty pink polish is all chipped. Reaching over, I take her hand in mine and trace soothing circles on the top. She sighs and looks at me with a smile.
    “He’s going to love it, Erik. You wrote up an amazing plan. I’m so proud of you.”
    Smiling back, I say, “I did, huh? I killed it. How can he say no?”
    She laughs heartily and scoots closer to me. Just then, the door opens and Mr. Richards walks in. He’s an attractive older guy in his early fifties. He was college buddies with my dad. He sits down at his desk and puts his glasses on, while he spreads the plan out across his desk. Then, he steeples his fingers and looks at Lexi and I over the top.
    I start to get nervous when he doesn’t speak. I’m still holding Lexi’s hand. She squeezes. We’re both just waiting for a reaction. Finally, he smiles and claps. “Congratulations, Mr. Jenson and Miss Sloane. We’ll be approving the business loan for Java and Sweeties. This is an amazing plan and we firmly believe this is a great investment.”
    Lexi squeals and I smile at her. Mr. Richards smiles at both of us and then turns the top paper towards us. “If you’ll both sign here, I’ll start the process of signing your life away.”
    Letting go of Lexi’s hand, I reach for Mr. Richards’s hand and give it a firm shake. “Thank you, sir. Thank you. We’re very excited. We won’t fail.”
    Lexi scoots up and shakes his hand too. “Thank you, Mr. Richards. Erik and I are both hard workers and we are determined to make this a successful endeavor.”
    Laughing at her eagerness, he drums his fingers on his desk. “Of that I have no doubt, Miss Sloane. Congratulations again.”
    After two hours and a mountain of paperwork, Lexi and I leave the bank. Grabbing her, I spin her around on the sidewalk. Leaning down, I kiss her nose. “We did it, Miss Sloane! We’re going into business together. Just like we always planned.”
    She smiles back and a trace of the sadness she always hides crosses her face, before it’s quickly masked. “Yes, we did, Mr. Jenson. This is one dream that will come true. We’re going to rock this! I’m giving this 1000%, Erik. I’m so glad we’re doing this together.”
    We embrace again and decide to call Bradi and Micah to come meet us for a celebratory drink. They agree and we head to Bruno’s. It’s five o’clock somewhere.
    Three hours later, we’re all happily intoxicated and the place is starting to get more traffic. There are only a few tables left open and Bradi decides it’s time to kick start the party. She startles us by jumping up and almost knocking her chair over. She grabs Micah and plants a steamy kiss on him while Lex and I roll our eyes. Lexi mumbles, “Get a room,” and Micah winks at her. Then, Bradi grabs Lexi and they race over to the DJ booth where the guy is organizing his music. After some animated gesturing, he shrugs and turns to flip a switch. Music pounds through the speakers and the girls race back with huge smiles and grab us, pulling us onto the dance floor.
    Some Jay Sean comes on and the girls’ hips start moving. Within minutes, the floor is full and everyone is having fun. Bradi is all over Micah, as usual… not that he complains. That girl is so wild, but they are so in love. I get a little jealous sometimes. Lexi wraps her arms around me and we groove.
    We dance for a few songs until we’re all hot and thirsty. Then we leave the now crowded floor and head back to the table. Micah leaves to get us some drinks. The girls are looking around and I’m just sitting, trying to catch my breath. Bradi smirks and pulls Lexi down, then starts talking animatedly and pointing. Lex looks, then smiles and leans over, motioning me to meet her over the table top. What the hell?
    I lean down and give her my ear. She shouts to be heard above the music. “Hottie at three o’clock is seriously checking you out. I think it’s that cop.” My brows rise and she