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25
Lila
SimoneandIwalkedup to the two beefy men in black suits. They scowled as they guarded the massive double doors on the top floor of the St. Regis Hotel.
“Invitations,” barked one of them over the muffled music coming from behind the doors.
We handed ours to the way-too-serious guards, who scrutinized them as if checking for counterfeit money. Since when did masquerade balls have such tight security?
Simone adjusted her turquoise sequence gown. She looked stunning in the hip-hugging dress, with her hair styled in a sophisticated updo, thin cornrows and twists woven together in a high bun.
I placed my hands over my stomach, an automatic gesture to cover the part of my body I was most self-conscious about. Luckily, I’d found the strongest girdle known to women. No way was I wearing this scarlet red off-the-shoulder gown—the only one I could find in a plus-sized store that I actually liked—without the tummy-control bodice. And bonus, it made my tits look amazing, except I worried they’d pop out at any second. I gripped the fabric of my dress and yanked it up.
I glanced over my shoulder at the other waiting guests. No Hawk. Only a few days had passed since I blocked his number. I hadn’t seen him at the clinic, and he hadn’t shown up at my house. Would he be here tonight?
The guards opened the ornate gold doors like in a scene from a historical romance. They worked in unison, so the side-by-side doors opened simultaneously, revealing the grand ballroom. The live music embraced us with the tune of tango, the rhythm promising us an evening of secret passions.
“Thanks, boys,” Simone said with a wink. She looped her arm through mine and dragged me inside.
We entered under an overhang of lavender flowers. There were so many I assumed they were fake, but the soothing scent cascaded over me. “Wow, Simone. Look at all those flowers. It’s like a field of lavender hovering above us.”
“Of all the things in the ballroom, that’s what you’re impressed about?” She nudged my side.
When I glanced at her, she swept her hand around the room.
“Look at it all, Lila. It’s absolutely splendid.”
I looked around, and my jaw dropped. There was so much to take in that I didn’t know where to start. Acrobats dressed as fairies, suspended from silk ribbons, twirling their bodies in and out of positions I couldn’t even dream were possible on the floor, much less hanging ten feet in the air.
Lattice crystal chandeliers, too many to count, twinkled their light onto the dining tables below them. And each table was adorned with roses that looked like they were dipped in gold paint. Then I remembered the fundraiser was hosted by some billionaire hotshot, so maybe the roses were dipped in actual gold leaf.
The guests, all decked up in over-the-top extravagance, filled the room. Ballgowns of all colors—some in sequins, some in silk, some even in feathers—seemed to compete for everyone’s attention.
Don’t even get me started on the tuxedos. I never knew there were so many unique styles and cuts, each man wearing one so similar, yet so distinct, all at once. Similar with the silk lapels and the silk stripe along the pant legs. But the individuality was displayed by the unique jacket designs. And color. I didn’t even know that black came in so many different shades.
“Oh my god, there’s Ian Somerhalder.” Simone pointed to a man wearing a hooked-nose mask. “I’m not surprised to see him. He’s a big-time animal advocate.”
I squinted, trying to visualize him without the mask. “How can you tell?”
“I’d recognize those shoulders anywhere.” She led us toward him.
Nerves ate away at my gut, the incident from college with my ex Bradley at the forefront of my mind. I tugged on her arm. “I’m not ready to talk with people yet.”
“Okay, how about booze then?” She pivoted on her stilettoes, and we found ourselves at the bar. “Two champagnes, please.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The bartender, wearing a tux that looked more expensive than my dress, poured our drinks into crystal flutes.
I scanned the room, my eyes pausing on every man over six feet with brown hair. I doubted Hawk would be here, but if he was, I would avoid him. Besides, he’d never recognize me in this Marilyn Monroe wig and full face mask. The sales rep had told me it was for those wanting to make a mysterious entrance. I didn’t care about being mysterious. I just wanted to be invisible.
“Do you think Hawk will be here?” Simone asked casually.
I pretended to not hear her. I’d tried to bail on her tonight, but she was too damn good of a lawyer to let me win. And I couldn’t tell her the real reason because she would have forced the whole story out of me, and I was too embarrassed to admit I had an infatuation I couldn’t get over.
She glanced at me, probably waiting for an answer. I was a terrible liar, so it was best to find other ways to avoid her questions. So, I guzzled my champagne. Too much. Too fast.
I choked on it, and the bubbles shot out of my nostrils. Simone darted away from me just in time to avoid getting sprayed. I coughed and spluttered.
Someone on my left tore my glass out of my hand and replaced it with a napkin. I covered my mouth and nose with it as I kept coughing uncontrollably.
