Page 114 of Hot As Ice

I turn to him. “Are you okay? You seem kind of, I dunno, out of it.”

“Do I?” He shrugs. “It’s ‘cause I hate these stuffy events. Thank god you’re with me.”

“Should we go find your dad and Celeste?”

He nods, looking resigned. “Yeah, might as well.”

The heart of the party is in what I can only describe as a ballroom. The floor is checkered black and white marble and there’s a humongous chandelier in the middle of the ceiling. Arched windows overlook sprawling gardens. Multiple Christmas trees decorated in gold and silver ornaments are placed throughout the space. A violin quartet in the corner of the room plays Christmas melodies.

I guess that’s just how rich people do holiday parties. Thank god I wore a gown to this thing, because everyone is dressed up. Some women are in cocktail dresses, but most are wearing gowns like me. I’m wearing the same black dress Hunter gifted me when we attended his uncle’s art gallery opening. Hunter is wearing a black suit with a silver tie.

Most of the guests are seated at round tables while some stand around with drinks in their hands, talking while servers walk around with trays of hors d’oeuvres. How can a holiday party be this fancy? It’s not even Christmas Eve!

I look up at the ceiling and the various doorways.

“What are you looking at?” Hunter asks, following my gaze.

“Just trying to see if there’s any mistletoe around here.”

He grins. “If you want a kiss, just ask. You don’t have to trap me under mistletoe.”

I roll my eyes. “Maybe I want to. I’ve never been kissed under mistletoe before.”

“Okay.” His eyes gleam. “Noted.”

As I’m looking around, I notice someone waving at us. It’s Celeste, seated next to Hunter’s dad at one of the tables.

“Your parents!” I say, taking Hunter’s hand. Then I realize I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t think he thinks of Celeste as a parent, and he probably never will. Although he doesn’t say anything, his expression is flat as we walk over.

Celeste rises from her seat at our approach. She looks beautiful as usual, her blonde hair styled in a sleek updo, makeup flawless. She’s wearing an ivory gown with silver accents and a long sleeve white fur bolero. I hug her and tell her how gorgeous she looks.

“So do you, Stevie.”

She hugs Hunter next while I say hello to Hunter’s dad. He shakes my hand like he usually does.

I take a seat next to Celeste and Hunter sits beside me, as far from his dad as can be. But they did do that back thumping greeting men do before he sat down.

A server comes by and asks if I’d like some champagne, but I decline and ask for a lemonade. I really am never drinking again after that last time. Just thinking about it makes me queasy.

“How have you been, Stevie?” Celeste asks. “I wasn’t sure you’d be able to make it tonight. Are you going home for Christmas?”

“Yes, I’m driving out there Christmas Eve morning. It’s only an hour and a half from here.”

“You must be excited.”

“I am, honestly. I miss my mom, even though I saw her during Thanksgiving break.”

“Is it just the two of you?”

“Yes. My dad left when I was young.”

She makes a sympathetic face. “I’m sorry.”

I shrug. “I’m over it.” I don’t think that’s true, but I say it more for her sake than mine. And I really don’t want to talk about my family life. She seems to take the hint.

“It’s too bad you won’t be here for my Christmas Eve party,” she says.

“I bet it’ll be spectacular.”