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She sighed. “Again? What happened to my gaydar? It’s so out whack lately.”
“That’s because the alpha gays are harder to spot.”
“Say, your security guy’s here, I noticed,” she whispered.
“He can’t hear. He’s way over there.” I grabbed another glass of champagne from a passing server.
I passed her a glass as she kept sizing up the guests.
That’s what we did: gawk, gossip, and giggle. “Carson seems to have Clarinda and Justine all over him.”
“I’ve noticed.” I stole a look at the man who’d stolen my heart, and our eyes collided, causing my legs to wobble. I had to look away just to find my balance, which had little to do with champagne.
Sienna’s attention went to our new waiter. “Oh my god, he’s gorgeous.”
“That’s Aziz. He’s recently arrived from Morocco.”
“Don’t tell me he’s gay too,” she whined. Her eyes were wide and expectant.
I shook my head. “I don’t think so. The female staff have taken a shine. He’s studying law and works here during breaks. He’s staying in the servants’ quarters.”
“Oh, really.” Her face brightened. “You might have to introduce us.”
“Just hang around the side of the hall. That’s where they all mill around between shifts.”
I touched her arm. “I’ve got to talk to my mum.”
“She’s looking gorgeous.”
“Can’t go wrong in Chanel. And green is her colour.”
I left Sienna and joined my mother, who had Orson hanging on her every word.
Wearing an apologetic smile, I asked Mirabel’s manager, “Do you mind if I steal my mother for a moment?”
“But of course. I was just boring her with all the ins and outs of the music industry.”
She inclined her head. Her way of being nice, despite me reading relief on her face that I’d rescued her from listening to someone babble on about their work.
“He talks so rapidly. It’s hard to keep up. I’m exhausted,” she whispered.
“That’s cocaine.”
“I thought as much.” She studied me. “You’re not still using, are you?”
“I only tried it a few times. I’m already jumpy enough.”
She scrutinised me. My inability to finish projects had always concerned her. At least my new role as advisor on acquisitions for Elysium and Salon Soir had captured my interest. I liked art and might have just found something I enjoyed, enabling me to maintain focus. There was that arts degree I needed to complete too. I was going fine until Bram messed with my head.
My mother followed me into the ballroom where the band was setting up.
“There are so many people here,” I said.
“Yes. It’s a good turnout.” She looked around the room. “Do you think the lighting’s dim?”
I shook my head. “It’s nice and moody. Better for dancing. A bit like a club.”
We walked to the other side of the room and stood by the bay windows that looked out to the ocean. Night had only just arrived, and the silvery sea rippled serenely. “I whisked you away because you looked a little bored.”
