Page 62 of I Think They Love You

“The, uh,” he stammers.

“The spicy garlic aioli,” Kami proposes. “Remember you had me taste-test it?”

Denz nods robotically. “Yes. You did.”

“They were phenomenal,” the mayor says.

As Jordan segues into a conversation about the specially crafted cocktails for the night, Denz shoots Kami a grateful look. She changed the menu. He’s happy that one more tiny fuckup hasn’t ruined his chances. But he’s humiliated and angry too.

How did his team miss this? How didhe?

“Denz,” Mayor Reynolds says when one of her staffers tries to drag her away to meet a senator’s daughter and her girlfriend. “Check in with me before the big speech, okay?”

“Of course.”

She disappears. Kenneth tugs Jordan aside, whispering instructions Denz can’t hear. He whips around to Kami.

“How could you?”

“What?” she whispers.

Denz matches her volume: “You didn’t consult with me before intervening withmyevent.”

“Is it my fault I’m BCC’d on all communication from the mayor’s people? There wasn’t time to ask your permission,” she reasons. “I did what was best for the company.”

“Next time, don’t treat me like I’m five. I’m anadult.”

She guffaws. “Then stop acting like—”

“Are you two okay?”

When Denz turns, Jordan’s gone, but Kenneth isn’t alone. Cheryl’s there in a shimmery minidress. Eva’s gold-leaf hairpiece complements the Aphrodite-inspired gown she’s wearing.

“What a star-studded party, Denzel,” Cheryl says. “Was thattheMalcolm Givhan from By Invitation Only by the hors d’oeuvres?”

Denz grins smugly. “Maybe.”

“He never comes to our events.”

“You two look…” Eva scrutinizes them. “What’s a word below ‘lovely’?”

“Decent,” Cheryl suggests. “Theme appropriate, though.”

Denz bites his tongue.Sorry we can’t all be attention-seeking like Uncle Tevin in his all-white ensemble, Auntie C.C.

“Denzel,” Eva exhales. “I thought we agreed on the Tom Ford jacket and red tie?”

They didn’t, technically. And, well… Denz isn’t dressed in the Paul Smith maroon suit with matching loafers because of what Braylon said the other day. But he’s not-notwearing it because of that either.

“I didn’t want to outshine the host.”

“At least the party understands the assignment,” Eva notes. “You have a lot to live up to with your event, Kamila.”

Kami manages a tight, calculated smile.

“Where’s your date, Denzel?” Eva searches the crowd. “Is it over already?”

Denz flinches. “No—”

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