Page 7 of Xavier

I make my way back to the bar as the lights dim and the music fades out, calling everyone's attention to the MC.

"Welcome, everyone. To the ASH Foundation for Children."

There's a smattering of applause and I hang back, watching the show play out on the stage as I nurse a scotch.

"Hey," Kaine says, sidling up to me.

This must be worse for him than me. The famous recluse. As much as he's opened up since Jade, I know he's still not completely comfortable showing his face, with its scars, in public.

I tap my glass, and the bartender pours another drink and I hand it to Kaine.

"How's it going so far?" Kaine says before taking a sip.

"Not too bad."

"Think we'll hit our target?"

"Between my ass in these pants and Jade in her dress, we should be okay."

"You make it sound like I'm pimping out my wife and best friend."

"For charity," I tease him. "Relax. I think Jade's the one pimping us out, anyway. And it's fine."

"Jade says we got a lot of good sponsors this year," Kaine says, referring to the businesses who've donated goods and services for the silent auction.

"Yeah. She's good at that."

"You had a look at the list?"

"Why, is there something I might want?"

"I don't know. Do you want sailing lessons?"

"On the boat I don't have time to go out on?"

"What about an Herme's bag?"

"For the woman I don't have time to date?"

"Jade says there's an incredible interior designer offering a full house design. Maybe you can do something about that mausoleum you live in."

"It's minimalist."

"You're starting your own movement - emptyist."

"Fuck off. You have me working so hard, I'm barely there anyway."

"And the rest of the time you're at my place. Sitting on my furniture."

A woman in a cloud of sequins comes rushing towards us. It's Jade's assistant.

"Um, Mr. Ashley, your wife says, and I quote, 'tell my darling husband and his trusty sidekick to get their asses to their tables.'"

She throws her hands up apologetically and then rushes off again.

We down our drinks and wander off to our respective seats.

An hour and a half later and I'm ready to go home. I start to stand up, saying goodbye to my table companions just as Jade takes the stage. Shit. I can't leave now.