Page 52 of Stick to the Deal
The jet-setting couple is at it again. They appeared together at the annual Silverbrook Christmas Party—flying in from JFK in the nick of time. Sources say they were attached at the hip the entire event and made “quite the delightful couple.” After spending Christmas Day in Lord Ravenscourt’s London flat, they boarded another plane, this time bound for sunny Florida. Rumor has it they’re attending the New Year’s Eve Party at Pop. They realize they are nobility, right? You would think the couple would invest in a private plane or at least airline stocks for all these excursions! It’s not like they’re hurting for the money with their combined wealth.
Still unsure what Lord R is up to with this Elysium venture. The website and social media accounts link to feel-good stories about everyday people and celebrities alike. Is this a gossip channel? An internet replay account? Are you boys trying to be me? Flattering, but your angle is all wrong. Come and get me, I’m not scared.
TTFN
Wendy
Chapter 27
New Year Hopes
Ilean back from the table, wiping a soft linen napkin across my lips. My stomach is borderline overfilled. Nic is leaning towards Colin in a heated debate, as the rest of her friends and their partners surround us. I’m happy to sit back, watch, and eat.
The gifted chef herself sits next to me. Her eyes dart around the room, and her fingers grip David’s—just above a shiny new wedding band.
“You have nothing to worry about. I’m not sure I’ve ever eaten so much delicious food at an event before.” She turns to me with wide eyes. “Seriously, not even the Savoy high tea holds a candle to you. This is a triumph.”
Anna takes a deep breath, her shoulders relax as she releases it. She rests her hand on my elbow and her voice fills with emotion when she speaks. “Thank you.” Her eyes focus on me, brows pinching slightly. “So what are your hopes for the new year?”
I go to push back the typical discomfort in social situations, and find it missing. While I haven’t spent much time with Nic’s friends, they’ve been welcoming and easy to talk to. “I’m not sure. I’m content as I am. What about you? With a launch and a wedding, what more could the New Year bring?”
She laughs. “You have a point there, suga’. Maybe some peace and quiet should be the goal. For both of us.” She lifts her glass and I clink mine to it.
David stands, resting his hands on his wife’s shoulders. “Come on, Hell’s Bells, you owe me a dance.” He winks at me as he leads her to the crowded dance floor.
Laying my arm on the back of Nic’s chair, I survey the other side of the room. The girls have truly made something marvelous here.
The room sparkles with crystal and mood lighting, giving an elegant atmosphere, but the subdued furniture and decor keep it from feeling stiff. Behind the backlit bar, two bartenders flip bottles and pour drinks. The center of the room features a white dance floor with colorful lights and projections. On the nearby stage, Anna’s brother, Huck, plays with his band. It’s the best parts of a New York club and London ballroom mixed together.
A warm weight lands on my arm as Nic settles back. Her debate evidently finished, she turns to me with a smile, then leans closer. “Having fun?”
“Yes. This is so much better than my parents’ last week. Do you think we could convince Anna to cater next year? Then at least we’d be miserable and well-fed.”
She laughs and presses into me more. “Your mother might even smile. It’s hard to be in a bad mood when Anna’s cooking.” Her scarlet-painted lips lift as she sips her champagne. “Thank you for being here. It’s nice. Sharing this with you, I mean.” She turns.
With our noses inches apart, I can see the vulnerability in her eyes. My stomach clenches and my heart pounds. I skirt my fingers along her delicate jaw, her pulse thundering under my hand. I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “There’s nowhere I’d rather be.”
Emotions dance across her eyes. Like me, she’s learned to school her features in public, but I could watch her expressive eyes forever. Confusion, heat, and something that looks a lot like hope swirl within.
“Ren…” She leans in, her eyes on my mouth. My hand still cradling her jaw. Just before our lips meet, the song ends and the crowd breaks into loud applause, shattering the moment. She blinks the haze from her eyes and pins her social smile back on. “You know what? Huck’s band is actually pretty good. I’m going to go grab some footage. You good here?”
I nod and reluctantly remove my hand. My eyes trail her as she darts through the crowd, a vision in a backless silver cocktail dress that clings to her lithe form.
“What a night.” Asher plops down into Nic’s abandoned seat. “Let’s hope this next year is quieter. I could use a break.” He tosses back the rest of his drink.
Johnson sits on my other side, the glow of his phone screen lighting his face. I glance at him curiously. “Two weddings, a baby, and an expansion at Pop? Thistown can’t take much more excitement than that.” He doesn’t even look up, his fingers flying across the screen.
We sit and enjoy the music for a minute. When Johnson still hasn’t lifted his head, I turn to Asher with a questioning look. He merely shrugs and shakes his head.
The curiosity finally gets the better of me. “Hey, mate, what are you doing on your phone?”
“My guild has a siege tonight and as the only paladin I couldn’t let them down.”
Was that supposed to clear anything up? I turn to Asher again, this time for translation, but he looks as lost as me.
Feeling the silence, Johnson finally looks up. “It’s an online multiplayer RPG. You don’t game either, do you? Dammit, when is this group going to get more gamers?”
“Sorry, I’ve always been more of a book person.”
