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It’s lovely, really, and I’m trying hard to admire it and forget about how self-conscious I feel when I sense someone stop near me.
It’s the waiter from earlier, a young guy about my age with floppy blond hair and a huge smile.
“Nice party, huh?”
I laugh and nod. “Very fahn-cy,” I drawl.
His grin widens. “Yeah. Never been at an event like this.”
“Neither have I,” I admit, feeling better having gotten the confession off my chest.
He nods and volunteers, “I don’t usually work these things, to be honest. I’m a grad student over at NYU and needed some spare cash.” He shrugs. “Thought it’d be fun.”
“That’s great. You’ll probably make great tips.” Then I hold up my hand in warning. “Not from me, mind you. I’m one of the poor ones. You’ll have to spot the guests whose purses and trousers are sagging from all the cash they’ve got loaded in them.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “It’s cool. Tips aren’t really necessary. They’re paying us pretty well.”
“Really? That’s good. I sort of wish I were working the event with you. I think I’d feel loads more comfortable.”
His gaze falls on my lips, as if he’s finally caught on to my accent. “You’re British?”
I shrug. “Guilty.”
“Cool. I like the accent. It’s…” His gaze sort of falls down my dress for a moment, and I think the word “cute” dies on his lips. “It’s cool. I like it.”
I blush like a bloody buffoon and take another sip of my champagne.
“You should finish that quickly so I can hand you a new one. That way it looks like I’m supposed to be hanging around you.”
“Ha. What a ploy! I’ll be tipsy if I go too fast. Kind of a lightweight.”
His brow quirks. “Yeah? All right, then I’ll go easy on you.”
He’s definitely doing some proper flirting, and it feels so odd considering I’m waiting for Logan to arrive. It’s not like I want to lead this guy on, but it feels nice to not be standing totally alone.
“Ah hell. That’s my boss waving her hand, telling me to circulate. You stay put. I’ll be back soon.”
I laugh and promise him I won’t be far. It’s not like I’ve got anywhere to go.
The minutes drag while I stand alone, damn near close to twiddling my thumbs. I check my mobile and see a text from Logan. My heart skips a beat.
LOGAN: Be there soon. Leaving my apartment now.Thank GOD.
I might leap on him when he arrives.
My waiter friend comes back a few minutes later with a tray of food. Little crab cakes preloaded on spoons and crackers with something lovely and savory heaped on top. I take one of each, and then another, and then tease him that he’ll have to leave or I’ll finish off the whole tray by myself.
“That’s okay. As long as I come back with it empty, they won’t care.”
I grin and take another sip of champagne.
I ask him about what he’s studying at NYU, and he asks me how long I’ve been in the States. I try to give him my full attention, but truthfully, my gaze keeps leaping back to the entrance of the room, waiting for Logan to pass through the doors.
A real crowd is starting to gather now, and I’ve seen more than one notable person walk in: the mayor of New York City, Billie Eilish, Lester Holt. The crowd is quite diverse, and I’m giddy from how many celebrities are circulating the room now. One actress from Modern Family, the one who plays the older sister, even compliments my dress as she walks by me! Ace! I can’t wait to tell Yasmine and Kat. They’ll die!
Then I finally spot Logan at the entrance, and my heart sort of collapses in on itself. Maybe it’s the fact that I’ve waited so long for him to arrive. Maybe it’s how kind he’s been this week, sending the flowers and having Pat come round to District to drive me home every night. Maybe it’s the way he looks. He walks in with a crowd around him, donning a sharp black tuxedo. His hair is combed back, real formal and sexy. My hands instantly go clammy and I lose the ability to do much of anything except stare.
My waiter friend notices. He follows my gaze and laughs in disbelief.
“Logan Matthews is here. That’s so fucking cool. I should try to sneak his autograph without my boss seeing.”
I force out a tight laugh and try not to pass out.
It takes me too long to register that I recognize the people he’s walking in with. There’s Darius and Liz, and Melody too. I wasn’t expecting to see her tonight, but duh, of course she’d attend. She belongs here way more than I do. She’s right beside Logan, tugging on his arm to get his attention, and they chat for a moment. I try not to let it bother me. They’re friends, of course; he’s known her longer than he’s known me.
