Want Me (Mess with Me 4)

Luckily he doesn’t seem to care, just plunks a piece of steak on his plate.

“Yeah, this is awesome. Free food and an open bar feels like my kind of party.”

“Me too. Maybe–”

Whatever I was about to say dies in my throat when a beautiful girl with long red hair appears at his elbow. She looks vaguely familiar.

“Babe, are you doing okay? Sorry, I know this is boring but we don’t have to stay long.” Her eyes land on me and then she grins. “I know you! From the marketing agency, right?”

Instantly I remember seeing her at the launch meeting. She had her hair up in a bun and was wearing glasses.

“You’re one of the developers working on the app, right?”

She nods absently before taking one of the mini egg rolls off her boyfriend’s plate. “Mmm. Yeah, we’re all here tonight to make sure there aren’t any issues. Brilliant idea to put sign up stations right here at the party, by the way.”

“I think so, too. Mya knows her stuff.” I smile weakly as they walk away leaving me holding an empty plate.

Okay, so attempt number one was a fail but that’s okay. Mushroom guy was just practice. I’m sure there are plenty of guys in the crowd who are actually single and not just here for the free food and booze. I take a few fried mozzarella sticks and then some kind of tomato salad. Just when I take a bite, someone stands next to me.

I look over and see a guy with long, messy blond hair. He raises his glass.

“Hey. What’s up?”

With a mouth full of fried cheese, there’s not much I can do other than give an awkward half-wave. He doesn’t seem to need much encouragement though as he moves closer to peer at the other stuff on my plate. A little too close for comfort actually.

Is this normal? Maybe I’m being too picky but I don’t like the idea of someone breathing on my food.

“That tomato salad is good but dairy is really bad for you.” He squints at the mozzarella sticks.

I swallow. “Guess that means you won’t be asking for one then, huh?”

He looks confused. “Dairy causes a lot of inflammation.”

“Right.” I move away slightly, ready to take my bad food in the other direction.

Who comes up to a stranger to give them a diet lecture?

There’s a group of people nearby so I casually position myself on the outskirts of their group. Maybe if I look like I have friends already I can avoid some of the weirdos. I’d rather observe people first before trying to start a conversation. Then I can make sure they’re eating normal food and aren’t here with a girlfriend.

One of the guys in the group is standing kind of on the edges also, only occasionally making a comment to the things his friends are saying. He seems normal enough, so I decide to give it another try.

“Do you guys work for the app?”

He shakes his head. “My friend’s little sister told us about this party. I signed up. It sounds fun.”

So far so good.

“It should be great. I like that they have professionals to help with your profile. Sometimes people just need a little assistance to reach their potential, you know?”

Suddenly he smiles widely, looking way more animated than before. “Exactly! I used to say that all the time. My friends don’t get it. We’re all capable of so much if we just have a little help.”

His intensity is a little surprising but at least he seems friendly enough.

“I totally agree.” I smile back, determined to be positive and open to a new friend.

“Just the other day I was saying there’s so much more to this world than what our conscious mind can comprehend. It’s mind-blowing.” He makes a blowing up motion with his hands, glancing over at me as he does it.

My smile feels frozen on my face. “Right. Mind-blowing.”