Laughing, I fixed the few tears that had risen. “Deal.”
“Why is this party happening again?”
I snorted as Neil followed us to the elevator. “Honestly? What we just walked through was most of it.”
“This was all for pictures?”
“Kind of. Just press in general. You know how it is. A lot of pretty, famous people in one spot draws attention. Wellbridge Studio doesn’t have any huge films out until the end of the summer, but they want to keep us in everybody’s mind.”
“I hate that that makes sense.” Esme shook her head.
“Plus they get to spoil us at these parties, and they’re fun. You’ll see. Now that I’ve finally dragged you to one you’ll always want to come.”
“I highly doubt it.”
She probably wouldn’t become a regular fixture at these parties, but I saw her fascination as we walked into the party that had a sumptuous circus theme.
They’d gone all out, lining the walls with red velvet to create a tent, dark and ornate chandeliers with what looked like actual candles burning. I didn’t even want to think about how much extra they’d had to pay to have open flame.
The electric lights moved in colorful patterns, and roving spotlights added to the feeling of walking into a circus that had just come to town. The performers helped too. Aerialists and illusionists, someone was face painting, and was that an actual tattoo artist over there?
The party was already packed, and I saw many, many people I knew. Some of them I liked.
“There you are!” Jasmine waved and came straight to us. She ushered us into the depths of the party. “I was about to come hunt you down.”
“A lot of paps,” I said, trying not to grumble about the sheer number of them. But my anger was still on averyshort leash. “And do me a favor? Tell the gossip magazines if they ever shoutquestions at me or Esme about our father, if we’ve gone to therapy, or anythingremotelyclose to that line, I’ll make sure they never have a legal photo of us either again.”
She froze in surprise, but agreed. “Got it.”
Good. “Anything I should know?”
Jasmine took both my and Esme’s clutches. “Mostly just mingle. The studio heads will probably want a few words at some point, but I’ll come pull you out when you’re needed. There’s also an official photographer, and we’d love to get some pictures of the two of you dancing.”
“We can do that,” Esme said. “When I dance I don’t have to talk to people.”
Jasmine laughed. “If more of the people in this room had your attitude, I imagine there would be a lot fewer publicity messes.”
We were going to do just that when someone else waved at me. This smile was natural. Dante Norwood was a sweetheart and was always a reliably good time at parties. He pulled me in for a brief hug and kissed me on both cheeks. “Darling, you look beautiful. And Esme, you look fuckingfantasticif I say so myself.”
“Thank you.”
I made a face. “I had to force her into that dress since Jasmine wouldn’t let me wear it.”
Dante’s eyes sparkled, and his tone lovingly mocked me. “Whatever will Eva May Williams do without wearing a ten thousand dollar dress?”
Esme’s headsnappedin my direction. “This dress cost that much?”
“I didn’t pay for it. It was a gift from the designer.”
She blinked in shock, then shook her head a little, like she was pulling herself out of it.
“Have you seen the food?” Her question was aimed at Dante. “Because I’m about to eat so much this thing will look like a maternity dress.”
Dante’s loud laugh drew looks from around the room. “If you manage to make that happen, please come straight to me. It’s over there.” He pointed to the side of the room opposite from where we’d entered.
“Thank you!” Esme grabbed my wrist and took off like a shot. “I should have stolen your pizza earlier.”
“We both should have. Food is a great idea.” I was definitely hungry.
