Just for One Night (flash fiction)

It was just for one night.

She didn’t enjoy socializing, but this had to be done. You wouldn’t advance in the ranks if you bailed on the big guy’s New Year’s Eve party. Besides, it wasn’t simply a festive gathering—Peri had a job to do. As she shimmied into her silver dress, she realized she had lost a little weight. It had been a stressful year. 

Doing the rounds with a glass of bubbly in her hand, Peri made sure to say hello to all the right people so they would take note of her presence. She smiled and sipped and schmoozed and glittered, paying special attention to the big guy and his crew. 

He winked at her. “You’ve worked hard this year, Peri. Don’t think we haven’t noticed. Cheers.”

“Thank you!” Peri clinked his glass and took another sip of her champagne. “I strive to do my best on every assignment, and—”

 

“We also notice when work fails to meet our standards,” he interrupted. 

She blushed, knowing exactly to which assignment he referred. “That particular case wasn’t my fault, sir. I received bad intel from…”

“Mmm,” the big guy shrugged. “Things happen. But you have a chance to redeem yourself tonight. Max is on the patio.”

Peri knew the brief conversation had ended and it was time to get to work. She slipped outside, took a breath of cold night air, and sidled up to Max, who was faced away staring into the darkness. “Hey,” she said. “How’s tricks?”

“Peri.” Max spoke before looking at her. “Bold of you to show up here.”

“Bold?” she scoffed. “If it wasn’t for you, that job in Chicago would have been a piece of cake.”

He turned fully and grinned at her. “Still blaming me for that fiasco? Everyone knows the truth, babe. You weren’t up to the task.”

What a jerk! She couldn’t believe she’d ever found him attractive, much less slept with him. Three times. Peri set her empty glass on the wall and slid the stiletto out of her sequined evening bag. “My new assignment will go much more smoothly.”

Max glanced at the knife. “You think?” 

“I know.” She wobbled in her high heels.

“You’re feeling a bit woozy right now, aren’t you?” 

Max almost sounded like he cared about her well-being, but Peri knew better than to fall for that again. Why did she suddenly feel so itchy? The knife dropped from her fingers and clattered onto the stones. She needed to sit down.

He chuckled. “You never could hold your liquor. Especially when it’s spiked with cyanide.”

~*~

Written for Fandango’s Story Starter #227.