First Taste (The Lust List: Devon Stone #1) by Mira Bailee Read Free Book Online Page B

Well, what would it be like to be his girlfriend? What would I possibly learn about him that the whole world doesn’t already know? How could I feel like I’m exclusively his when god knows how many other women gawk at photos just like this one?
    Not to mention, he hardly knows I exist. Why bother imagining life as his girlfriend, when I don’t even register on his list of things worth paying attention to? It’s pointless.
    Maddie snatches the phone out from under me. “You’re overthinking things. I can sense it.”
    “Yeah, well, you can use those same psychic abilities in a couple days when you meet him.”
    She’s half-listening as she works—pouring colorful bottles of liquor and juice into a shaker filled with ice. She finishes making a tropical martini and places it in front of me. She considers what I just said and laughs. “What? You dragging him to the apartment or something?”
    “You’re running the bar at the party Saturday. I’m bringing you by to meet Celia on Thursday, and fortunately for us both, she’s much nicer than that Keenly asshole.”
    She hesitates as if trying to gauge whether or not this is payback for the Devon photo on her phone. “You’re serious?”
    “You know I’m never funny when I try.” I take a sip from my drink. Images of the beach and Devon flash across my mind. As good as this tastes—tangy and sweet—I can only imagine what he tastes like…
    “You are serious. Oh my god! I could kiss you right now.” She lunges across the counter and kisses my cheek with an exaggerated and loud muah . “You’re the most amazing woman on the planet Olivia Margot.”
    By now all six patrons are staring in our direction. Their curious eyes linger for an uncomfortable moment before they return to their respective staring and drinking.
    Maddie settles down and leans in to talk quieter. “So you got Devon to get me a job too? You’re on a roll.”
    “No, I talked to Celia directly. Why would I tell Devon about you? He’d ditch me in a heartbeat.”
    “Oh please.” She turns her back to type things into a computer. Receipts print out, she takes them to their owners, and she comes back. “You have no idea how much I owe you for this. That drink is totally on the house.” Her eyes brighten. “Better yet, I’m going to help you get Devon Stone.”
    One look at her, and I know she’s committed. This was supposed to be my favor to her, and having her at the party was supposed to make it easier on me. But now with Maddie plotting some sort of game plan… Now I didn’t know what to expect.
    She wanders off to collect credit cards and empty glasses. I gulp my martini faster.

 
    I can hear Celia talking to decorators when I arrive the next morning. My aching feet follow her voice, and I curse myself for wearing heels yesterday. And for what reason? To impress a guy? That worked out well.
    I find Celia in the ballroom where people are installing extravagant light fixtures and hanging elegant tapestries from the walls to block off extra doors and entryways. The couches I saw yesterday are set up in a casual cluster in the center of the ballroom providing a comfortable lounge amongst the formal tables, and the big glass doors leading to the back patio are wide open, inviting in a refreshing ocean breeze that dances amongst all the fabric. The same linens I dropped off to be dry-cleaned yesterday are being unwrapped from their protective plastic and draped over the tables. It’s good to know I didn’t mess up that task, and now I can see the room coming together—white and cream and full of class. I’m impressed.
    “Keenly hasn’t been by yet,” Celia says as if we were in mid-conversation. “But feel free to stick around. I’m assuming he’ll have some sort of to-do list when he gets here, and we can split it and probably end our work day quicker.” She smiles and turns to adjust the positioning of a smaller side table.
    I feel awkward standing around while productivity