A Taste

♤Adrian♤ I looked around the room. Where was Astrid? I was sure I’d seen her with Joan just a few minutes ago.  Now, Joan was all over a brunette, and Astrid was nowhere to be found. I'd walked across the room, met Aaron, and handed over the gifts we’d brought him.  Our relationship didn’t thrive on communication, but he’d told me he was glad we’d made it and thanked me for the gifts. So yeah, maybe Astrid was right. He was my friend, but our friendship was different from others. A brown-haired woman stepped in front of me, a glass of wine in her hand and her lips tipped up in a small smile. I stared down at her, already annoyed that she was in my path. “I’m guessing you’re Aaron’s associate, Adrian?” she asked. I let out a breath. This was why I hated events like this—socializing, small talk... it was draining and mentally exhausting. “In person,” I said flatly, my eyes scanning past her, searching for a certain blonde head. Her smile widened and she tipped her glass slightly in greet