Kristen's thirtieth birthday. With every passing year that she'd gotten older, so had her desire to not celebrate it. What was the point? She had everything she needed, why dwell on getting older? She had a god job, a brand new house, and worked for everything she owned. One thing was missing, but not important. Not that she needed a man to make her life complete, but to have someone around for her physical needs...well, that was a whole different story. Her life was too demanding to settle like everyone else around her had.
Despite Kristen's protests to celebrating the big day, her good friend, Alec, planned a bash, sort of a housewarming-slash-birthday party rolled into one. He invited only a select few people, knowing Kristen was not one to celebrate another year older. "I will take care of everything. You won't have to lift a pretty little finger," Alec told her repeatedly flamboyant attitude until she rolled her eyes and gave in.
So, the night before her birthday, Kristen made the round to her party guests and found herself face to face with Noah, Alec's date.
"Happy birthday, Kristen."
"Don't remind me," she mumbled. "Where's Alec?"
Noah smiled at Kristen's drab attitude and she couldn't help but notice. She took a swig of the wine she clung onto for dear life, her glass always staying full.
"Around here somewhere."
"Shouldn't you be with him?"
"Think you should slow down there?" Noah pulled her glass away from her lips, but Kristen had the upped hand.
"I'm the birthday girl, I can do what want," Kristen said dryly. "Go bother Alec."
Noah was quickly growing annoyed with Kristen obviously tipsy attitude, but he found her endearing and kept on. "So, why so you care so much about why I'm not prancing around with Alec?"
"Everyone thinks you are...well, a couple."
He spit out a sip of his beer. "Wow, seriously? We gave off that vibe?"
Kristen nodded and began laughing hysterically. "You two do make a good match."
"No offense, but I like women way too much. Want me to prove it to you? You seem like you need to lighten up a bit."
"Uh, no thanks." Kristen grew uncomfortable in Noah's presence at his comment and pushed past and made her way to a safer group of people. After about two hours and nothing to eat as she drank, loathing her impending birthday just hours away, Kristen felt the harsh effect from her many glasses of red wine. Concerned about her, Alec saw her guests out as the party came to a close and told Kristen we would not be leaving her alone in her state. And, since Alec was Noah's ride over an hour away from her house he was crashing too.
She vaguely remembered the brief conversation she'd had with Noah, but she was pretty sure she made an ass of herself, Now, he'd be a couple doors down from hers in the guest room. Her brain was fuzzy as she giggled and stumbled as Alec brought Kristen to her room and undressed her, which was totally fine with her, considering he wasn't interested in females. He dressed her in a tee shirt and shorts and tucked her snug onto futon, where Kristen drifted into a wine-induced sleep. What felt like moments after she dozed, Kristen was awakened by the creaking door to her bedroom.