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“—But you’re just in time for the dance,” said the MC as he opened the door.
The opulent sight of the Grand Ballroom lit up before us. High ceilings decorated with old paintings from the American Revolution. Elegant men and women in black ties and gorgeous dresses were chatting and mingling in the wide-open space.
“The dance?” said Jamie.
“I normally sit these out,” I told her. “But hey, it might take your mind off things.”
“Sure,” said Jamie. But before we could take a few steps, people had recognized us and were crowding around.
“Eric, old boy!” said an elderly man in a blue velvet jacket with a big bow tie. “So good of you to come to my littlebashfor the Society. And this must be the lucky lady! How does it feel,” said the old codger as he kissed Jamie’s hand, “to be tying the knot with such afascinatingman?”
“Hello, Harlan,” I said stiffly, shaking his hand. “Good to see you again.”
“Help yourselves to some champagne,” said Harlan. “I’ll have to tell everyone you’ve arrived.”
At the other end of the room was a raised stage. An enormous band had assembled, and a cheerful young man in a white shirt stood at the front of the stage, saying a few words of introduction. He looked vaguely familiar, even at this distance.
“Is that …”
“Yeah,” I said. “I thought he was playing at this thing.”
“I thought he was on tour in Europe right now.”
“Michael made aspecialexception for us,” added Harlan. “Good of him, no?”
He wandered off into the party. I turned to Jamie.
“You’ve done this before?” I asked Jamie.
“No—” said Jamie, but before she could say any more, I slipped my hand behind her waist, and had her hand in mine.
“Follow my lead,” I said. “And try not to fall over.”
The band began to play, and I took a step forward. Before Jamie had a chance to realize what was happening, we were dancing together.
Chapter Twenty-One
Jamie
“Andthenwedanced,and had champagne, and talked to all these people—Eric knows so many people,” I said breathlessly.
Janine grinned. “So, you guysareengaged?”
“No!” I said hurriedly. “Definitelynot. But at the moment, it’s safer to say less.”
“Jamie,” said Janine. “It sounds like you guys are engaged.”
“But we’re not,” I said quickly. “We can’t be. I mean, he’s him and I’m … well, me. We can’t get married. I mean, I’m still working for him.”
We were in my kitchen the following morning. Janine had come to drop off Cassie before school. I was so wrapped up in telling Janine about the Charity Ball.
“Does your dad know?” said Janine.
“No,” I said.
“Have you told him?”
“Not yet. But I’m going to.”
