Love, Utley (Love Letters #1)

Standing, I straighten my skirt.

No one said we had to dress up for the party, but I decided to wear my favorite pleated skirt. It’s olive green and stops just past my knees, but it has a slit up one side to about midthigh. So it’s still work appropriate but isn’t too matronly.

And if I wore my best bra and my scoop-neck off-white short-sleeved shirt with it, it’s just because they pair well.

Same for shoes. The wedge heel might be a bit high, but the faux leather matches my shirt perfectly. So it’s not trying too hard; it’s just coordinating.

But by the time I step through my door, my pinched toes remind me why I don’t wear these shoes to work.

“Hey, Hannah.”

I lift my hand and join the two project managers heading toward the elevators.

“Ready to party?” the other one jokes.

“Super ready.” I let them hear the lie. “But then it’s sweatpants and my couch for the rest of the weekend.”

She laughs. “Right?”

The first woman steps ahead of us to press the call button. “Usually, I hate company parties, but I’ve met some of the MinneSolar employees this week, so I’m actually excited for this one.”

“You can pretend that’s why, but I know you just want an excuse to stare at Mad Dog Maddox,” the second project manager jokes.

“Sue me.” The first snickers. “And don’t pretend you won’t be looking too.”

“True.”

“But the whole ride thing is pretty cool too,” the first continues.

The doors slide open, and we all step into the elevator.

I know these ladies because we’ve worked together for a few years, but I don’t know them, know them. So I’m a little surprised to hear them talking about the owner like this. But then again, Maddox is hot as hell. So maybe I shouldn’t be surprised at all.

“Wait, Hannah, weren’t you in the car when it happened?”

“Um, sorry.” I give her an awkward smile. “What were you saying?”

“Friday brain. You need this party as much as we do.” She grins. “I was saying how Maddox probably did the whole ride thing because of that accident last week. And I just remembered hearing you were in the car too.”

“Yeah, I was.” I keep my tone light. “I heard Brandon already got his car fixed. Or is getting it fixed. Something like that.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’ve avoided the lunchroom all week so I wouldn’t have to listen to him talk about it.”

I snort a laugh before I can stop myself.

When she lifts a brow at me, I lift a shoulder. “I had the same idea.”

“I knew I liked you.”

The cab slows, and the doors open on the top floor of the building.

The woman closest to me lets out a whistle. “First stop, the bar.”

Agreeing with the plan, I follow them across the large room.

I’ve never been up here, but I knew it was an event space of some sort.

There are tracks on the ceiling for movable walls, telling me people use this for conferences and meetings, not just parties. But tonight, it’s a party.