imperfect together

It was a good first day. Later that evening, I met Tia at a bar in Soho where we went dancing at the club. She told me Joey was bringing some friends, and I went back to dancing.

Soon, Tia spotted Joey walking in, and she yelled into my ears above the raging noise. A couple of drunk men were checking out women dancing.

She returned with a few men. "Joey," I ran over and gave him a hug. We were all talking loudly.

Joey told us they would like to head somewhere else, a place that wasn't as noisy.

We headed to a pub. "Edie Evans, thanks for finally moving here. I always knew that Dylan guy was up to no good," I chuckled. It's been six months, at least I can laugh about it now.

We arrived at the new place, and I saw my handsome neighbor seated on a stool by the bartender's table.

"Look here, Edie, this is my friend Liam. I'm guessing you two met last night?" I nodded.

"Hi Liam," I flushed brightly as I waved at him.

"Hi Edie, how was your first day?" he asked.

"It was okay," I finally took a seat.

"This is Scott, but we call him Scotty Boy," we shake hands.

"Conrad is not here yet, but he will be soon," I shake my head. Tia pulls me along while announcing to the rest of the guys that we are going to the restroom.

We are in the ladies' room; she checks to make sure all the toilets are empty before she speaks.

"Edie, this is Men 101. Liam is a nice guy; he has his life sorted out and is looking to settle down. He's the kind of guy who is going to make a good husband. Scotty, on the other hand, is the life of the party. He has wealthy parents, is all about having fun, and oh, he has a baby mama. So, he's not quite the guy I want for you."

"Well, I'm not looking for anything serious right now. I haven't been with my rebound guy," she chuckles.

"That brings me to Conrad. Conrad is a whore, in simple terms, Edie. He's been with everyone - you know everyone I know, everyone the whole of New York knows. He is great for fun," she tells me, and I'm already liking this guy.

"I know you are drawn to bad guys, but please don't think of anything serious with Conrad because you're going to get hurt," I chuckle.

"Chill out. I'm done with my fair share of bad guys and fuck boys. I want a nice guy like Liam, but that's after my rebound guy," Tia flushes.

We return to our table, and the guy from the studio earlier is having a conversation with Joey.

"There she is, Edie. Edie, he is the one and only Conrad Howard," Joey says while Scotty plays the drumroll.

"Hi, Conrad. I think I'm blushing. It's such a shame he has such a reputation," I say to myself .

"Hey, Edie. Didn't we see each other at the Hot Room this morning?" He holds out his hand, and I take it.

"Yeah, you were that handsome guy standing by the entrance. i can't believe I just said that out loud."

"So, Tia, Conrad was just talking about being catfished," he nods, and Liam returns with at least four bottles of beer.

"Here you go, to your first day at work." I take the bottle, and we all clink glasses.

"To new beginnings," I nod at Tia'€™s words.

"To new beginnings," our glasses clink once more before Tia pulls me into the crowd.

"This is our jam," I nod.

After an hour of at least three shots and four bottles of beer, I am ready to head home and embrace my bed.

Tia and I are in Joey's car, wasted, having a slurry conversation that I don'€™t think I will remember in the morning.

In the house, I make my way to my room and take a cold bath. Then the truth comes back to me that I might be single for the rest of my life.

I opened up to Dylan, but he used me to become popular among the women. I cry my eyes out.

It's morning and I wake up to Joey and Tia being the noisiest.

I stretch my hands and put on some joggers before dashing into the living room.

€œGood morning, Miss Evans, Conrad is in our house, shirtless in the kitchen, flashing his tattoo behind his neck.

" Morning, Conrad " Joey is making breakfast.

How did we get home? I ask, twisting my neck to get a snap as the hangover hits me.

It was a disaster having you and Tia drunk at the same time, Joey tells me.

That'€™s because you didn'€™t see us in college; straight-A students by day, party freaks at night,I chuckle.

Hmm… the old days, I scoot into a stool.

Yeah, how did Derrick react to seeing you again? Tia has a quizzical look on her face.i gushed; " he has done so much for himself " Tia chuckles.

" I wish I had dated him and not Dylan, we both grin " .

" Yeah, maybe. Who knows, you would be living in a penthouse in Manhattan " I shudder at the thought but bite my lower lip at the thought of seeing Conrad Howard completely naked. He is a fine specimen, a complete work of art. He is slim built but has been working out, I can tell.

He leans on the table, getting so close that I can smell him. " What are your plans for Saturday?" I laugh a little." I'm working this afternoon, Why do you want to know?" He gives me a small official card. "I heard you want to have some fun? I'm the master of fun, so give me a call when you're done with work." I feel my face turn red. "I'll remember that," I reply. Joey brings me a plate of pancakes, and I quickly finish my breakfast. Then, I walk back to my room, put Conrad's card in my purse, and head to the bathroom.

Later that afternoon, I run into Liam in the elevator. " Hey, neighbour " he say, feeling a bit embarrassed. Liam seems like a great guy, just as everyone has said. "Hi, Liam! I'm sorry about last night" I tell him, and he laughs. "Why are you saying sorry?" I push a piece of hair behind my ear. "It's probably for making a mess after I got drunk," he smiles. "You are definitely the craziest person I've ever met." I feel a bit embarrassed; that'€™s not the response I was expecting, but he smiles again. "That's great because I enjoy wild things ," I reply with a nod. "Really?" he laughs. "Edie, I'm an auditor. The most exciting part of my job is tracking down missing money, and that can be pretty dull at times," I feel my cheeks heat up. "You're an auditor, huh? You must be really smart!" he laughs. "I like to believe that I am," he replies as the elevator comes to a stop with a ping sound.