Tonight's not so bad.
Elaine surveyed the venue, balancing four drinks in her arms. While she disliked this scene, she was gradually beginning to hate it less. Simone always had a way of turning attention toward himself while allowing her to make escapes from social situations as needed.
Elaine turned to head back to her table only to nearly collide with a man stepping into her path.
"Oh, sorry," she said, steadying the drinks.
"No, no, my mistake." The man lifted his hands in a charming surrender. He was handsome, dressed in a clean button-down with loose brown curls and a warm smile.
"That's an incredible dress," he said, his eyes sweeping her outfit.
"Oh." Elaine straightened her posture slightly. "Thank you."
"I'm Mark," he introduced.
"Elaine."
"Elaine," he repeated, smiling. "Pretty. I feel like I've heard that before."
"It's a common name," Elaine mused.
"No, it's more than that." He studied her for a moment. "Are you… a singer? Of something in music?"
