Right off of Route 70, near the Denver Bronco's stadium, was the Mile High Station. Alissa was with Elixir for two years now, but Hwan, who had been with Elixir for eight years, said they always had the company holiday party in a different venue each time.

Mile High Station had its appeal, with its historical structure with original exposed brick and an elevated mezzanine that wrapped around the second floor of the main dining area. Tables were placed sporadically with cherry wood chairs.

There was a lounging area with rustic brown leather couches and another with white leather, but both had animal print skin rugs underneath. An interesting array of lantern chandeliers fell from the two-story ceiling. The wait staff was dressed in black, walking around passing out drinks and hor d'oeuvres.

Alissa noted there weren't many Christmas-themed decorations here, but could hear holiday music playing softly. She already knew Sarah would be complaining about its hipster vibes.

Her blush chiffon dress shimmered as she spotted Hwan and Grace and began walking towards them. Grace Donatello was one of the two employees who worked on Elixir's legal team.

She had thick dark Italian curls and freckled skin. Alissa was surprised to see she went all out with her makeup and questioned her extra-long eyelashes. She wore a burgundy silk halter gown that accentuated her form in all the right places, and black heels were spotted poking out from underneath. Alissa thought she looked good for thirty-eight.

Hwan was looking quite handsome in a navy suit, brown leather loafers, and a teal tie. His raven bangs were swept up sitting atop his head.

"You look great, Alissa," Hwan exclaimed as he hugged her.

"Thanks. You do too." She turned to Grace, grinning, "It's nice to see you outside the office, huh?"

Grace smiled, "Oh, yeah. I'm always stuck in that stuffy place." She waved her hand down towards the concrete floor.

"Have you seen Sarah yet?"

"No, she's probably spending her last few minutes making sure her date looks good enough," Hwan chuckled.

Alissa smirked, "That's highly probable."

She looked around the room and spotted Gerald chatting with Samantha, Liberty, and two men she didn't know. Must be the ladies' dates. But where was Gerald's date? Did he bring his wife?

Perry was off to the corner mumbling something to one of the waiters who was looking more and more uncomfortable as he continued. Alissa frowned in pity.

"There she is," Grace exclaimed, pointing towards the main entrance.

Alissa's eyes scanned the venue before landing on a tall, dark skinned, athletic man. He wore a gray suit and yellow tie. She stared as he fixed the cuff of his left wrist where a silver watch shined. His brown eyes were looking around the room before meeting Hwan's, Grace's, and then hers. Her heart rate sped up. He strolled over to the three of them with a short blonde bob leading the way.

Sarah had curled her bob, which bounced when she walked. Her bright red lips popped out against her pale face and bright blue eyes. She wore a metallic silver peplum gown that accentuated her slim waistline. Sarah went even more bold wearing clear plastic pumps.

Sarah immediately wrapped her in her arms, "You look gorgeous! How do I look?" She stepped back to give Alissa a view.

Alissa smiled, highly aware of her threatening heart rate. Soon, she was going to sweat and have to reapply her deodorant. She patted the outside of her nude leather clutch feeling the travel-sized deodorant tucked safely inside.

She sighed, "You look amazing!"

"You look like you should be out of a fashion magazine," Grace exclaimed.

Sarah grimaced, "Thanks, Grace." She paused to let a smile spread across her red lips. "So, everyone, this is Trevor Cruze. Trevor, this is Hwan, his date, Grace, and Alissa," she said, pointing to each respective individual.

Trevor smiled and dimples appeared on both cheeks. He scratched his short, dark, coiled head of hair. Alissa had almost let a groan slip out just watching him. She imagined running her fingers through his hair.

"Nice to meet you all," he said in a deep, baritone voice.

Alissa quivered. She hoped no one noticed.

"Hey, man! So, you're the guy Sarah has been chatting about so much," Hwan said.

Sarah's cheeks reddened, "I have not!"

Hwan and Grace chuckled.

Trevor smiled, showing those adorable dimples again, "That's okay, Sarah. I hope, all good things."

Sarah pouted, then turned her attention to Alissa. "I can't believe they picked this place this year." She tossed her hands up in the air, muttering, "Of all places."

"What do you mean?" Grace asked.

Hwan and Alissa shared a knowing look.

"It's so, so hipster," Sarah said with disgust, her nose scrunched up.

Hwan and Alissa laughed while Grace and Trevor looked on lost.

During this time, more coworkers and their dates had arrived. The music turned off and Gerald's voice was heard throughout the speakers.

"Please, everyone take your seats, so we may begin."

~~~

After the beginning night's speech, dinner was served. The food was very upscale gastropub. Alissa ended up taking the challenge from the encouragement, or rather dare, of her friends, and ordered a seared sushi-grade tuna loin marinated in a wasabi gastrique. It burned her mouth, her lips, and her nose like there was no tomorrow. However, her sinuses were more opened than ever. The bubbly champagne did nothing to lessen the flames, but that didn't stop her from downing five flutes in a row.

Throughout the meal, Trevor and she kept making eye contact. Every time she laughed, he was staring her way. Every time his dimples made an appearance, she couldn't look away. It was beginning to unnerve her. With that, and the wasabi and bubbly champagne, Alissa headed towards the bathroom. She needed to reapply her deodorant and nude lipstick, anyway.

The bathrooms in Mile High Station were down a dimly lit hallway in a secluded corner of the dining room. She hiccuped as she walked passed the men's bathroom first, then entered the women's.

After doing her business, she stared at her reflection while washing her hands. Her thin, dark brown hair was pulled up into a high pony and curled. Softly curled strands hung framing her face. She didn't go as heavy with the eye makeup as Grace did, but she did highlight her dark, angular eyebrows. She reapplied her nude lipstick then headed towards the exit.

Not looking where she was going, she bumped into a tall, blue suit.

~~~

A/N: Uh oh! *smirk* Please remember to vote! xo