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London leaned closer. “Do we need comms for this trip?”
“I have them in my purse. Audrey insisted. She hates feeling left out. But I’m not worried about running into problems.”
They rode in silence from the city into the north suburbs. Even though traffic wasn’t too heavy, the trip took a while. London couldn’t imagine having to make this trip every day. Nikki tapped a rhythm against the armrest of the door. Even though she appeared calm, London knew her friend was a riot of energy below the surface.
The car pulled up at the Peters’ house. Christmas lights twinkled around the perimeter of the house on the trees in the front and side yards. From the street, she could see a huge Christmas tree lit in the picture window.
“Pull into the drive,” Nikki directed.
The driver pulled in behind a long line of cars.
“Wow,” London said as Nikki handed her an earpiece. When Nikki didn’t say anything, London asked, “Isn’t it amazing?”
“Eh. You’ve seen one rich douche, you’ve seen them all. You’ll see when we get inside. It’s all bling and no personality. They live their whole lives with a ‘Look at me’ attitude. There’s nothing beautiful or amazing about it.”
London gave a stiff nod. She hadn’t spent much time among the wealthy. Sure, she mingled at art galleries, but she wasn’t invited to go into their homes. It all just seemed like so much.
Impatient as always, Nikki opened the door. “Come on.”
“Really?” London asked as the cold air swept in.
“The sidewalk and driveway are clear. Rich people don’t tromp through snow. Waiting in this line’ll take forever.”
London climbed out of the car and inserted the comm.
“When we get inside, just act aloof.”
“Aloof?” she asked.
“Yeah. Be a little snooty. Stick your nose in the air. It’ll give you an air of mystery.”
“Sounds like I’m just being a bitch.”
“Yeah, that too.” Nikki smiled and bumped her shoulder.
London followed Nikki through the door and a blast of warm air washed over her. A skinny dude was holding a clipboard in the foyer, looking like a maître de. Nikki smiled and pointed a finger at his list, offering her phony name for the night.
Turning slightly, she grabbed London’s hand and tugged her forward. “And this is Jillian, my plus-one.”
He scanned down the list and then said, “Please enjoy your evening.”
Still holding her hand, Nikki led the way into the living room that looked more like a ballroom. Nikki released her in order to snag a couple of glasses of champagne from a passing waiter. As she sipped, she said, “It’s a little weird not having Jared in my ear yelling at me about getting drunk.”
Over the comms, London heard Audrey’s laugh.
“I can go grab him if you want.”
Nikki just rolled her eyes.
“So what do we do?”
“We have to mingle a little so that it doesn’t look suspicious. If we go charging into the library when no one else is there, someone might take notice.”
“Let’s stroll around and see if people are there.” London took a sip from her glass. “Damn. That’s some good shit.”
“One of the few perks of coming to these things.”
“Think I can make friends with the caterers and walk out with a bottle?”
