She had a family emergency and had to go out of state.
I'm a little on edge because I met Mia's parents and sister, and they're all great people. They didn't give her much detail over the phone, so until she gets home, I won't know what exactly the emergency is.
In the meantime, I'm flying solo for this party.
With my bowtie finally done after a hundred attempts, I check the phone, and it's not a work message or Mia.
It's a photo message from Ash. He's wearing the violet satin panties I sent him, and the sight of his cock all snug inside the soft, smooth cocoon of the panties makes me instantly hard.
I unzip my slacks and run my hand over my cock. I really shouldn't tease myself too much because I want to save it for later when I get to wind down from the party with Ash.
Finding the camera app, I snap a photo and send it to Ash. Within seconds he replies with a gif of a drooling cartoon.
In the past, I would have felt embarrassed about liking what many people consider to be female underwear, even though what I wear is specially made for men. For an event like today's, I would have foregone it all together in favor of the boring but more acceptable cotton briefs, even if there was no chance of anyone seeing them.
Neither of my previous boyfriends ever found out my preference. I was always too scared of telling them in case they used the information against me or were disgusted by it.
I almost told Mark, when I thought there was a chance of a future together for us, but I found him cheating on me before I opened up. When it turned out he'd done it repeatedly, I figured I had a lucky escape and swore I wouldn't tell anyone, ever. Until Ash came along, and I accidentally revealed my secret.
Today I feel bold, happy, safe. I will go through the motions of the party, say all the right things, and speak to all the right people, all the while feeling my slacks sliding against my panties and wishing for time to fly so I can be with Ash.
There is only one other thing I really want from tonight, and that is to meet Andrew Cinder in person. I want to talk about his book, his beautiful writing, and make sure he knows he has a home with Blackwood Publishing.
I finish getting dressed, and then set the Christmas tree lights on the timer so they're turned on when I get home.
The party is at the Park Plaza Hotel. Blackwood Publishing reserved half of the hotel rooms for staff so they're free to party and drink without the risk of driving home or taking public transport late at night.
I can walk home from the hotel, so I've never stayed the night, but my parents always prefer to be around in case they’re needed by the venue to settle anything.
The press is outside the hotel, but because I don't arrive by car, which they expect, it's not until I'm halfway up the steps to the lobby that they notice me. I turn and pose for a few photos and manage to get inside without much fuss.
The hotel is a hub of activity. Some guests have already arrived, and they're in party mode, with their masks on in the lobby bar. The party itself doesn't start for another thirty minutes, so I head up to my parents' suite.
My mom is finishing getting ready. Her shimmery golden dress is stunning, and I see she has a mask to match.
"You look beautiful, Mom."
"What, in these old rags?" she says with a wink, neither of us pretending she hasn't spent a small fortune on the custom-made outfit. "You look very dashing. That suit really brings out your beautiful green eyes."
I do a mock curtsy and extend my hand to her. She takes it, and I twirl her around the room a few times, dancing to the sound of her laughter.
"I like seeing you happy, Alexander. You know, Mark has been asking about you a lot..."
She leaves the statement hanging, and I know this is my only chance to kill any ideas my mom has of us getting back together.
I take her hand and lead her to the couch.
"Mom, I know you're good friends with Danielle, but Mark and I will never be together."
"Why not? He seems so genuinely apologetic over what happened in the past. I understand your reluctance, my dear, but you know how hard it is to find someone who fits our world. It's not easy being in the public eye. Mark was born in this world. He knows how to play the game."
I look her in the eye.
"Are you and dad playing the game?"
She laughs. "The only game your dad knows how to play is the boardroom. We met in a different time, before the internet, before mass sensationalism. It's different now, and you know it."
"Mom, I'm in love with someone." It's the first time I’ve said it out loud, and even though I want to be saying it to Ash himself, there's a feeling of pure joy just sharing it.
