"Fellow chef?" Archer asked.
"Former chef. Restaurant owner," I said. "More a colleague of my father than one of mine." He was too old to be Eros. What had Eros said? Hypnos and Zeus were both out of town. I'd always suspected Zeus was older, without knowing why, but Solomon was clearly in town.
"I'm sure it's nothing," I said half to myself. "Solomon Danforth wouldn't be involved." He'd always been nice to me. I'd gone to him for advice when I was setting up my restaurant.
"He probably went to the restroom," Archer said.
"Of course, I'm sure that's what happened," I said.
Or he was somewhere else in the room and the crowds were too thick to see. No doubt he'd turn up at some point.
I also couldn't rule out the possibility he'd put in a quick appearance before leaving again. He was a busy man. Constantly traveling across the country to visit his restaurants. Ensuring they were operating the way he wanted them. He was as particular as they got. And renowned for showing up without notice to make sure his staff were all on their toes at all times.
I could respect that. After all, it was his name on every single door. His reputation. His money. He had every reason to check on them. It probably drove his staff around the bend. No one liked to think the boss was looking over their shoulder.
Although, from what I knew of his restaurants, they didn't have to worry about his displeasure. Every single one was a tight ship, just like mine.
"We just mingle then," Archer said.
"Yeah." I stopped to glance over my shoulder to where Erin had been.
There was no sign of her now.
CHAPTER 11
HARLOW
Iscanned the crowds, trying to look over their shoulders. She had to be here somewhere.
Archer caught my arm. "What is it?" My concern was contagious by the sound of it.
"Erin was right there, now she's gone," I said pushing down a spike of panic. What were the chances of her and Solomon Danforth being out of sight at the same time? The place was packed, but I should be able to see one of them.
"She can't be too far." Archer stood on his toes and started looking as well.
"We're not being very inconspicuous," I pointed out.
He hesitated and dropped back down. Sipped his champagne and tried to look like nothing was going on.
"Very subtle," I said with a sigh. "We need to find her."
I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Boner and Cass, asking if they could see her.
Almost immediately, my phone buzzed with responses from both.
Neither could.
I caught sight of Boner near his office door, gesturing something at me. Asking if I wanted him to turn off the music and tell everyone to look for her.
I gave a small shake of my head. That would definitelynotbe inconspicuous.
"I'm going to check the restrooms." I headed toward them, pushing through and gaining myself a bunch of irritated glances.
"Where are you going in a hurry?" a smooth voice asked.
He was subjectively attractive, with dark blonde hair and green eyes. His cheeks were covered with a layer of stubble so perfect he might have trimmed it with a pair of scissors and a magnifying mirror.
"You could stick around for a while," he said. "Would you like another drink?"
