We spend time at work and go out to eat, and then there are Adele’s parties, which Harper always drags me to. Just another trick to keep me out of my head.
“Do you want us to drive separately?” she asks.
Preoccupied with a random thought, I shift a blank gaze to her. Cocking her head to the side, she smiles, waiting.
My eyes quickly regain their focus.
I shake my head.
“No, no. I’ll pick you up.”
2
SENNA
We arriveat Adele’s around eight o’clock. Her place is filled with guests, and it takes us a few good minutes to make the trip from the main door to the living room.
Wearing a fitted dress with metallic accents and her hair smoothed into a straight, silky veil, Harper turns a few heads.
Once we make it to the middle of the room, she turns her back to the crowd and gives me a knowing smile.
“I already love this party,” she says, motioning discreetly to a group of men. “And I like your dress,” she adds quickly, keenly studying my fashion pick–– a skintight, black dress with long sleeves and a metallic zipper down my back, stopping short of my derriere.
“It fits you well,” she murmurs just as one of the women at her side accidentally bumps into her and almost makes her crash into me.
“Maybe we should start to mingle...” I say, grabbing her elbow and dragging her to the side.
When she joins a group of people, I make a beeline for the kitchen. Adele curls her arms around my shoulders as soon as I enter the spacious room.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she says, her eyes gleaming brightly with a smile.
“Do you need any help?” I ask, eyeing the platters on the kitchen island.
“No, no. Everything is fine. Mark will take them to the guests.”
She pulls me to the side while her husband and a friend pick up the plates from the counter.
“Just to warn you, Evelyne is coming tonight,” she says under her breath, her eyes swinging quickly to the door as the men walk out carrying the food. “In fact, she should be here any moment now,” she adds, nervously checking her bejeweled watch.
My knees begin to soften.
“Why? Why is she coming here?” I ask, struggling to find my voice.
“She flew in for a business event.”
“What event?”
“I don’t know. A black-tie event at the Chamber of Commerce. She’s a speaker.”
“Oh.”
Shit.
I know what event she is talking about.
I received the invitation as well.
It’s an annual premier business gathering, and I intend to attend.