Resolution Pact: First Kiss

“I think I’m just going to go back to the sorority house.” I looked at my watch and sighed. “I don’t do parties.”

“You’re a Mi Alpha Alpha girl now—of course you do parties.” My cousin, Lexi, looked over at me like I had just told her the Earth was flat. “Have some champagne.”

“I don’t know.” I took the glass apprehensively.

“Brittany, you’re in college. Loosen up.” She sipped champagne from her glass.

“I’m trying.” I lifted the glass to my lips and took a tiny sip.

“Brett’s here! I’ll be right back.” Lexi noticed her boyfriend walk through the front door and immediately starting pushing her way through the crowd so she could get to him.

Probably not. Most of the time you abandon me after you drag me to these things.

Lexi was in love, and when Brett walked into a room—I was the last thing on her mind. It didn’t upset me. I understood. I wished I had someone who could captivate my attention like that. Mostly, I just wanted someone looked at me the way Brett looked at Lexi. It was clear that they had something real, despite the fact he was a professor at Oak Ridge University, and she was a student when they met. It caused a bit of a scandal when people found out they were together, but that didn’t stop them. I think Lexi liked being the center of attention. I preferred to fade into the background whenever possible and stay out of the spotlight. It was more comfortable that way, even if it was pretty damn lonely.

“You don’t look like you’re having any fun.” Abby, one of our sorority sisters, walked up to me.

“I was thinking about leaving.” I grimaced and shrugged.

“Do you want to go outside with me and smoke this? You won’t be bored after that.” She held up a joint—or at least I assumed it was since she was always high.

“No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I lifted my glass of champagne. “This is about as wild and crazy as I get.”

“Boring…” Abby rolled her eyes. “Okay, well I’ll be out back if you change your mind.”

Lexi was busy with Brett, the rest of my sorority sisters that came to the party I was at were trying to sink their teeth into whichever guy—or girl—that they wanted to spend the night with, and I was standing there alone. I decided that it was time to go. I could watch the ball drop on television from the comfort of my bed, just like I did most years that I stayed up late enough to see it. It wasn’t like the party I was attending was an official Mi Alpha Alpha event. I was free to go at any time. I put down my champagne glass, pushed my way to the door, and finally made it outside.

Now to find a ride back to the sorority house.

I pulled out my phone and loaded my Uber app. There was a wait due to the number of people that needed rides on New Year's Eve. The bus station wasn’t far, and it would be a lot faster than waiting for someone to pick me up, so I started walking in that direction. I started wishing the heels that matched my dress was designed for comfort after a couple of blocks because they were beginning to make my feet hurt. I could also feel my pantyhose getting bunched around my toes. I walked over to a building with a sign that said Remington on the side and used the wall for support as I made a quick adjustment. It didn’t make my feet stop hurting, but it felt a lot better.

Okay, I should be able to make it to the bus station now.

Before I had a chance to start walking, a long black limousine pulled up to the curb. The driver hopped out and lightly jogged to the back door. As soon as the door was opened a man stepped out and started walking towards the building I was using as support. My eyes were drawn to him immediately. He was—he was gorgeous. He towered over me, even in my tallest heels, and looked like he belonged in a catalog instead of a city street. He was wearing an expensive suit that stretched across broad shoulders and a thick chest. I could even see an outline of his left bicep pressed against the fabric of his suit. Ripped was an understatement—he looked like he could bench press the limousine he stepped out from.

Wow!

I expected him to walk right by me without a single word. I mean, why would he notice me? A man that attractive, with his incredible physique and a jaw that looked like it cut through glass—he probably dated celebrities and models. He walked towards the door of the building with purpose, without even turning his head in my direction—until he was right beside me. He paused, his head slowly turned with a perplexed look on his face—and his eyes—oh god, his eyes were practically piercing. They looked like they could see right into my soul. They made me feel like I needed to take a step back—or stagger back—just because the look aimed in my direction.

“Are you going to the party at the top of the Remington building?” He motioned to the sign next to me.

“Um, no.” I felt my words getting trapped in my throat, but I squeaked out a reply. “I was just walking by.”

“Oh.” He nodded. “Well, now you’re going to a party.”

It wasn’t a request or an invitation, and it was merely a command—one that I had never felt more compelled to obey. He took a step towards me, grabbed my hand, and started walking towards the building again with me following along—even though I had no idea why. Alarm bells tried to go off in my head. I was letting a strange man—no matter how attractive he was; he was still a stranger—lead me into a building. I reminded myself that some serial killers were beautiful, but we were already through the front door before I had a chance to collect myself.

“Wait.” I regained my senses and pulled away. “I don’t think I want to go to a party. I just left a party so I could go home.”

“Sorority girl—Oak Ridge?” He turned towards me.

“Yeah…” I nodded in surprise.

“Then you should love parties.” He motioned towards an elevator nearby, and I saw a well-dressed couple walk by us. “Especially this one. It’ll be fun.”

I wasn’t going to be alone with him in the elevator, and that seemed relatively safe. I couldn’t deny that I was intrigued. The woman who entered the elevator purse was wearing a dress that looked like it cost more than everything in my closet combined. Her jewelry did. She was a bit younger than her date, who was a distinguished older man who kept a hand on her once they were in the elevator. The mysterious stranger held the door to make sure it didn’t close, and I slowly walked inside the elevator. The doors closed and that was it—I was on my way to a party with someone I didn’t know. It was exciting, but at the same time, it was also kind of scary.

“You were almost late for your party, Mr. Remington.” The man in the elevator chuckled under his breath.

“They never have a problem starting without me.” The mysterious stranger beside me shrugged.

Wait… Remington? Like the name on the building?

The elevator took us to the top floor and came to a stop. The door opened, and the woman stepped off. The man who was with her motione

d for me to exit next. I walked through the doors and waited. It was a pretty lively party, and everyone looked as well dressed as the couple we rode to the top floor with. They headed towards the festivities immediately and grabbed two glasses of champagne on the way.

“This is your party?” I looked towards the elevator as he exited.

“It is.” His lips curled into a half-smile. “I’m Bradley Remington.”

“Nice to meet you—officially.” I nodded. “My name is Brittany Grant.”

“Well, Brittany. Would you like a drink?” He motioned towards a server that was approaching us with a tray.

“Sure.” I nodded and took the glass. “So, why did you invite me to your party?”

“My business associates are always trying to set me up with someone at these things. The price of being a bachelor.” He shrugged and sipped his champagne. “I won’t have to worry about that since I showed up with a date tonight.”

A date huh?

“Barely…” I grinned and looked down for a second. “Do you always just grab your dates off the street on the way in?”

“Only if they catch my eye.” He winked at me. “I need to make my rounds and mingle. I’ll catch up with you in a little bit.”