The Billionaire's First Christmas - Contemporary Romance by Holly Rayner Page B

perfect pair
of silver shoes to wear with it. Once I was dressed, I took out the
rollers and shook my hair out loose around my face and across my
shoulders. I painted my fingernails and my toenails and when they
dried, I put on a silver chain, earrings and shoes. I took a final
look in the mirror before I put on my coat. I was satisfied with
the result. I grabbed my bag and then crossed my fingers and made a
wish on the star outside my window that Aaron would show up, and
then I headed out.
     
    On my way to the restaurant, I thought
about how long it had been since I’d seen all of my dear friends.
Melissa and her fiancé had a Halloween party and everyone was
there. I’d dressed up like a cheetah in a costume that I’d made
myself. It was a body suit with a little skirt and I’d made gloves
and ears with the same material. The party had been a blast and I’d
won best costume. The only regret I had that night was that all of
my friends, even the unmarried ones, had partners. Some of them
were just dating still, but they’d all been together for a while. I
liked them all, and they all made me feel welcome… but I still felt
a little bit like the odd man out. Melissa was always trying to set
me up with one of Chris, her fiancé’s, friends. I appreciated that
she worried about me and wanted to see me in a happy relationship,
but I was of a mind that when it came to the man I was meant to be
with, I would find him on my own, and I’d know when I found
him.
     
    I parked my car in the lot and got a
little excited tickle when I saw a limousine driving in. The driver
got out to open the door for their passenger. It wasn’t Aaron’s
chauffer Jeffrey, who I counted as one of my newest friends. I felt
disappointed when I saw the smartly dressed man and woman get out
of the car while the chauffeur held the door. I shook it off
quickly, however, telling myself it was early yet. There was still
time for Aaron to show. I wasn’t going to let myself get down
tonight. Tonight was about good times with good company.
     
    I spotted Melissa and Chris at the bar
when I walked in. I checked my coat and went over to see
them.
     
    “Robyn!” Melissa wrapped me in a hug.
“I’m so happy to see you. Look at you, you’re gorgeous! How are you
still single?”
     
    Laughing, I thanked her and said, “I
have no idea. And right back at you. I love that color on you!”
Melissa was a petite little brunette with big blue eyes and a spray
of freckles across her nose. She looked gorgeous, especially
tonight in her strapless red holiday dress.
     
    “What about me?” Chris pretended to
pout. “This suit is the exact shade of my eyes.” I hugged him
too.
     
    “Of course it is… I was just going to
say…” Chris was six foot five and looked like a linebacker. He was
in a chocolate brown suit with a festive red tie. The suit did in
fact match his eyes. He was kidding about picking it out though, I
was sure. Chris was color blind and Melissa rarely let him pick out
his own clothes. When she did, he was often seen wearing wildly
mis-matched colors. It was something we all teased him about. He
was a great sport though. I was so happy that Melissa found him.
They were perfectly suited to each other. He was a really good
guy.
     
    “Where is your date?”
     
    “He’ll be here soon,” I told her.
“He’s meeting me here.”
     
    “I can’t wait to meet him,” she
said.
     
    “Where is everyone else?” I asked
them.
     
    “Carol and Brett will be here soon.
She just text me, and I think I see Nadine and Tom walking in now.”
I turned to see our friend Nadine coming towards us. She was a
tall, willowy African-American woman with light mocha skin that
always had a glow to it. We met Nadine in college and she’d been a
good friend since. Her fiancé Tom was an artist who was rapidly
gaining a following in New York. He was always happy and a ton of
fun to hang out with. We all gave hugs and kisses and said hello
and by that time,