I let Danny guide me through the room, pointing out various VIP’s as we head to one of the fancy tables with cream cloths. “That’s Rick Lockman,” he says, nodding to a man with shoulders that barely fit in his jacket. “Quarterback for the Seattle Strikers.”
Danny pulls out a chair for me. I put my purse on the seat but don’t sit down, too busy taking in the swathes of curtains hanging from floor to ceiling windows and the six, yes six, chandeliers hanging from above. At the opposite end of the ballroom a stage is set with a live jazz band and a speaker’s podium.
The senator has really gone all out, and Rick Lockman isn’t the only famous face here. “What exactly is this gala for again?” I ask.
“To raise money for the new free clinic the senator’s building.” Danny nods towards the podium on the stage. “He’s doing a big unveiling of the name later.”
“Do you think it’s weird he’s putting so much effort into a free clinic when you said yourself he’s not as shiny as he seems?”
Danny cuts me a look, his usual charm slipping away under a sharp, unsettling gaze. “Did I say that?”
He reaches out and drags my silk shawl off my shoulders.
Goosebumps prick my arms.
Then Danny grins. “I’m kidding Hazel.” He wiggles his eyebrows and holds out a hand. “Come on, let’s go circulate.”
I shake off the unease and take his hand. Danny gets me a drink from the bar, and we end up actually having a good time. We keep wandering the room until we overhear something interesting and then we find an excuse to hover, eavesdropping on conversations by acting like we’re in love and oblivious to the world around us.
So far, we’ve learned of four different affairs and an accountant that can help you dodge taxes but nothing about the senator. By the time we sit down at our table for a break my feet are killing me and I’m more than a little tipsy.
“I think I might be bad at this,” I say, rubbing at the sole of my foot.
Danny leans his elbow on the table and rests his head in his hand. “What? Pretending to be a reporter?”
I freeze but Danny just rolls his eyes. “I’m not an idiot, Hazel.”
“I… um.” My heart thuds in my chest, the tips of my fingers tingling.
Danny’s charming smile is back, an amused quirk to his lips. “Relax, I’m not going to turn you in. I am kind of curious as to why you’re here though.”
I look down at the tablecloth, like maybe I’ll find my lines written there. “It’s… complicated.”
“I’m an art major who dropped out of Washington State, did a U-turn, and became a politician’s aide. I can do complicated.”
“You went to Washington?”
“Yeah, but then my mom got sick.”
“I’m sorry. I used to care for my gran.”
Danny nudges my leg with his. “Look at us bonding, does this mean you’ll tell me your secrets now?”
I open my mouth, words caught in my throat as I stare down at the tablecloth. “I, um?—”
Beside me, Danny straightens sharply, pulling his shoulders back and my gaze flies to him.
“Senator,” he says, standing up.
“Daniel.” Senator Claren’s voice creeps down my back. Deep and caustic. “I see you took me up on that plus one in the end, won’t you introduce me to your date?”
I swallow sawdust, my fingers trembling in Danny’s as he takes my hand and helps me stand. I work on keeping my face blank, just the slightest smile on my lips as I turn to face the senator.
“Of course, sir. This is Hazel. Hazel, my boss, Senator Claren.”
Claren holds out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Hazel, you look very beautiful this evening.”
I stare at his hand for a second too long and Danny knocks me with his elbow. I snap out of it and shake the senator’s hand, his smooth skin wrapping around me like a snake. On the table, the silver shine of a knife catches my eye and for once in my life I imagine violence.
