Page 77 of Well, Actually
Rylie scrunches his nose. “Must we?”
I nod solemnly, smoothing the silk of my top. “But I’ll make you a deal,” I whisper. “Be a good boy tonight and I’ll let youbeg your way between my legs later.” Patting his cheek, I try to step around him toward the banquet hall.
Rylie catches my wrist, spinning me back to him. “That’s cute, Kitten, but we both know who will be the one begging tonight.”
He places a chaste kiss on my temple, fixes his flushed face in a winning smile, and leads me, dazed and blushing, into the party.
Chapter 20
I assumed the fundraiser would be upscale based on the address, but I wasn’t prepared for this level of fancy. The large room sparkles under crystal chandeliers, the gleam of the pristine place settings and intricate centerpieces creating a magical quality to the air, like everything is sprinkled with gold. A slideshow of queer youth and young adults Euphoric Identity has helped and supported plays on the mainstage, photos and stills of Lilith and the team in action propped around the room. There’s a buoyancy to the energy, an event that could so easily feel stuck-up and stuffy somehow buzzing and effervescent with the excitement of everyone in attendance.
“Lilith, this isamazing,” I say when we finally locate the hostess. “I can’t even wrap my head around it.”
“So proud of you, Lil.” Rylie gives her a big hug.
“Thank you,” she says, a glint in her eyes and pink on her cheeks. She sways from side to side, her pale blue beaded skirt catching the light and making her glimmer. “I mean, it certainly wouldn’t be this caliber of an event if it weren’t for a collection of elder, old-money gays doing their damndest to spend their millions for good and choosing to be our benefactors, but whatever helps the kids.” We clink our glasses at that.
“And Ray’s food is god-tier,” Lilith adds, plucking a slice of crusty bread topped with cheese and chimichurri sauce from a passing waiter. “How did he know provoleta is my favorite?”
I share a private smile with Rylie as we shrug. Ray wanted to pay homage to Lilith’s Argentinian roots in his menu design, and Rylie was overwhelmingly helpful in knowing her most-loved dishes.
“Everyone is raving about it,” she says with a contented moan as she finishes her bite.
“He’s this city’s greatest secret,” I say, beaming in pride for my friend. “I swear in a few years he’s going to have one of the biggest restaurants in the world.”
“Based on the feral response of these rich folks asking me for his info, I’d bet it’ll be a matter of months, not years.” Lilith’s name is called, and her attention flicks to a group of people by the bar, waving her over. “I better do a round,” she says, indicating to them that she’ll be right there. “Actually, Rylie, there’s a few people I wanted you to meet. Eva, would you mind…?”
I wave them on. “Oh my god, of course. I just spotted Aida anyway,” I say, bobbing my head in the opposite direction. “You two do your thing.”
I walk toward Aida, smiling and waving when she notices me. She looks amazing in a hunter-green cocktail dress that hugs her curves. Her long, curly hair rests over one shoulder, accenting her perfectly applied makeup. We haven’t had a real conversation since the mean-comments thing, but I’ve been deluding myself that the animosity is something I’ve built up in my head. Neither of us would miss Ray’s big debut, and I’m hoping tonight will give us a chance to clear the air.
“Hey, stunner,” I say, sidling up to her and wrapping her in a big hug. I feel a current of tension in her muscles. “Can you believe this?”
“I can’t think of a setting we fit in less,” she says, giving the room a wide-eyed sweep. “These are the type of people who blow their noses with dollar bills.”
There’s a long, taut silence that feels unnatural between us, and I shift on my feet, clearing my throat a few times.
“You okay?” I ask.
She ignores my question. “Have you seen Ray yet?”
As if summoned, Ray bursts through the kitchen doors directly across the room from us, glowing in his pristine chef’s jacket. A few patrons swarm him, and he shakes hands and accepts business cards. He maneuvers it all with the grace and confidence of a renowned chef, giving no hint that tonight may be the very start of a tirelessly worked-for career. Eventually, he waltzes up to us, and we nearly tackle him in a group hug, giddy with pride.
“Look at you,” I croon.
“Everyone is obsessed,” Aida adds.
“As was always my destiny,” Ray says with a subdued shrug. “Have you two talked yet?” he asks, his tone lifting to one I recognize when there is even a whiff of drama.
My eyebrows furrow as I glance at Aida, but she avoids my gaze, eyes fixed on the ground and color rushing up her cheeks. Okay, so maybe I didn’t create the tension in my head.
“Oh Jesus,” Ray huffs. “Can we get this over with, please?”
“I didn’t want to distract from your night,” Aida snaps back, the pair staring at each other in a silent but heated conversation.
“What’s going on?”
Ray nudges Aida’s shoulder, and she glares at him. With an achy sense of dread, I reach out, grabbing Aida’s hand with a reassuring pressure. Hers stays limp.
