Then she smiled at me. Every severe line in her face disappeared, the tight fist she always held at her side loosened. She rubbed that hand over her other forearm, up and down. “I’m really looking forward to helping you close the deal with Levvetor.”
“I’m sorry. You knew?” I questioned, not sure if she knew this party was a test or if she just wanted me to know that she was on board.
As if she could read my thoughts, she said, “I’m aware of pretty much everything Jett does. His life is work and I am his right-hand man, the hand of the king.”
I furrowed my brow. “Okay.” I dragged out the word, waiting for her to continue.
“The party is a test. He’ll say you failed, but he knows you passed. Also, I told him I’m pushing that deal as hard as I can come next week. I’m loaded and ready to go. We’ll get Levvetor on our books. I promise you.”
The last thing I pictured myself doing that night, I did right then. I closed the distance between Gloria and hugged her. She stood completely still, frozen in shock or discomfort but, for once, I didn’t care. “You won’t regret it. I promise you the company is saving lives.”
“I did my research.” Gloria nodded and took a large step back. “I’ll see you Monday.”
With that, she smiled at us again and walked away.
“I might cry,” I confessed to Brey.
“Me too,” Brey blurted out. “She’s amazing to work with. She’s so reliable, you know? But also sort of different. I just ... didn’t picture that happening.”
Jax appeared near Brey. “Whiskey sour, huh?”
She smiled like the two of them had a secret. I scanned the crowd for Steven, ready to give those two the alone time they wanted.
Steven was glued to Jaydon’s side, talking his ear off, and I winced knowing that I would be the one feeling like a third wheel if I joined them. I moved from table to table and took in the costumes and fun everyone was having instead. Coincidentally, Bob had dressed as Captain Hook, so we posed for a picture together.
“You pulled off the costume perfectly,” I told him.
He held his oversized belly and laughed. “I barely made it out the door looking like this, but all in good fun. My wife told me she’s always had a thing for pirates.”
He winked at me, and I felt it. The happiness. The unwinding.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Music pulsed around me, and cobwebs swayed above us. The drinks were over-the-top, as was the costumed waitstaff and the decorations. But one thing wasn’t exaggerated: the spontaneous smiles, the hum of amusement, the unrestrained laughter. I inched myself up against the back wall and people watched for far too long.
“You’re smiling like you think you’ve won,” the Phantom whispered into my ear.
Goose bumps skittered over my skin, and I closed my eyes to quell the attraction his voice sparked. “Haven’t I, dear Phantom of the Opera?”
He crossed his arms, flashing the Oystersteel of the Rolex he normally wore. Even his thicker-than-average wrist, peppered with dark hair and veins in all the right places made my mouth water.
I sighed. “I set your jacket down on the table back there. I didn’t have a chance to give it to you before you disappeared.”
He raised an eyebrow at my accusing tone. “Surprised you noticed my departure. Stevie seemed to have all your attention.”
“And Gloria had all of yours,” I snapped and then winced. “Not that I care. I don’t. I can’t and I won’t. Tonight isn’t about that.”
“You’re right. It’s about you proving a point.” Jett turned toward the crowd. “You think you’re doing a good enough job? You think they’ll come ready to work on Monday? Rejuvenated?”
“I have no doubt. Especially after you crown the costume queen or king with a thousand dollars.”
“I’m guessing you don’t want to announce my vote yourself?”
“Absolutely not.” I clapped my hands together and vibrated with joy. “I want to have everyone line up and show off their outfits to you one by one.”
He winced.
“To music, of course,” I added.