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I tell Brinley what I think, the laughter in my voice making her nervous. She knows better than to let me loose among the highly esteemed and conventional.
“Behave,” she tells me.
As if that will work. Not when I see two drop-dead gorgeous men approach the grand staircase, their eyes meeting mine before they have the chance to climb the first step.
Brinley spots them as well, her stare meeting mine in warning.
“Don’t wander off,” she tells me.
I pretend to listen, giving her a nod and a smile while my halo dangles dangerously from my horns.
Eventually Brin leaves me unsupervised while she runs off to find the governor. We’re here to give him the original flash drive that we had copied for my brother, Kane. I have no idea what’s so important about it, but I’m not the type to ask questions when matters are obviously above my pay grade.
I’m just a dancer trying to make my way in this world. I’m not the brightest, the strongest, the most talented or a tech genius like my brother. But I make do for the most part and only need to run a few games here and there to keep the bills paid.
Really, I don’t have much of a claim to fame, but I can follow a beat and attract attention, so that’s what I do.
Paying the bills is important. I learned that from the craptastic life my mom gave me. And I’m hoping, one day, I’ll rise above.
I’m in college, but it’s not as easy for me as it is for Brinley, and the cost of it alone is almost too much to handle.
This party, however?
I can handle it just fine.
Especially with men as beautiful as the ones I’ve seen, I don’t mind being left alone to prowl.
Smiling politely at another woman who passes by and makes it quite clear she’s offended by my presence; I slowly saunter through the light crowd.
A small bar is set up on one side of the staircase, glasses of champagne already filled. My fingers are delicate on the stem when I take one.
The bartender smiles my direction, and I nod my head in greeting. After looking me over, a confused frown tugs at the skin between his eyes.
It hurts a touch that even the hired help can’t hide their surprise at my attendance.
Before I can pass, he reaches out to grab my wrist and pull me to the side.
Leaning over so he’s not heard by the other guests around us, he speaks low.
“Are you lost? Food and beverage services are set up in the back kitchen area. They can give you a uniform there.”
The bartender makes a point to look at the drink I have in hand. “You really shouldn’t be drinking either. I get it … It’s tough being new and we all make mistakes. But trust me on this, drinking on the job will get you fired.”
I deflate instantly, my self-confidence gone after he no-so-delicately stated the obvious.
Women like me don’t belong here.
Not unless we’re in uniform serving the well-to-do their finger foods and drinks on a silver tray.
I pull my wrist from his hold and refuse to respond.
Stepping away, I look for a spot where I may be able to hide better, but with as open as the floor plan is, this narrow side walkway seems is the best choice of hidey-holes.
Leaning against the wall, I sip my champagne and watch the crowd of people mingle.
Every so often, I get a nasty look by some highbrow fuck who walks past. It just forces me to lift my pinkie while taking another sip to be their form ofproper.
Sometimes I smile.
