He was around medium height, probably about five-ten or five-eleven. He was built well, lean, and lightly muscled. He was dressed simply, too, in dark jeans and a black t-shirt that showed off his toned arms. He had dark brown hair cut short and hazel eyes that reminded me of my own. He was carelessly handsome, and it seemed to me that he stood out among present company.
“Fuck, he’s a hottie,” one of the girls was saying, having noticed the same guy I was staring at.
I bristled a little at her comment and wondered if it was jealousy I felt.
“Mmm… Now, he looks like he knows his way around a woman’s body.”
“Who is he?” I asked, turning to them.
“Beats the shit out of me,” the blonde replied. “But trust me, I’ll try to find out.”
Then Brent yelled his name across the room. “Phil, come here!”
“Phil,” the dark-haired one said. “Didn’t expect that name.”
“Oh, what were you expecting?”
“Clint,” she replied. “Or Xander… Something strong, sexy…confident.”
“You don’t need a name to make you all those things,” I pointed out. “You need charisma.”
“What?”
Both girls were looking at me blankly, and instead of explaining, I decided to bow out of this forced conversation. “It was nice meeting you both,” I said, as I walked away from them.
I decided to make my way to the kitchen again, knowing that I would have to pass right in front of Brent and his handsome friend in the process. I slowed my pace slightly as I passed, them and thankfully, my brother spotted me just in time.
“Hi, Meg!” he said loudly. He always got a little loud once he had a couple of drinks in him. “Get over here. I have to introduce you to my boy here.”
I turned to Phil and nodded to him. “It’s very nice to meet you,” I said.
His answering smile was beautiful, and I noticed that he had a dimple on his right cheek. “The pleasure’s mine,” he replied. “How are you adjusting to life in Philly?”
“Uh…it’s a transition,” I replied. “But I like it so far.”
“She got a job recently,” Brent said.
“Yeah?” Phil said, and he sounded genuinely interested. “Where at?”
“Bradshaw’s,” I replied. “They’re a local retail company in Philly.”
“I’ve heard of them,” Phil nodded. “How are you liking working there?”
“I only just started,” I replied. “I’m working as an intern at the moment.”
“You didn’t tell me that,” Brent said.
“You didn’t ask.”
“So, they’re not paying you?” he asked bluntly.
“Luckily, Bradshaw’s offers paid internships,” I said. “It’s not much, but I think I can grow there.”
“Fuck that then,” Brent said, without even listening to me. “Quit and find someplace with decent pay.”
“Give her a break, Brent,” Phil said, stepping in. “She’s looking at this job as a long-term opportunity.”
“Well, you might not be able to do much better,” Brent said, with a shrug. “Everyone wants a college degree these days.”