Katrina buries her smile in a glass of champagne as Dex pours one for me, which I take gratefully.
It takes the edge off quickly, and the second glass has me feeling relaxed by the time we pull up to the theater.
They were right when they said it's nothing like the Megaplex. One glance out the window is proof of that.
I'm besotted when we step out and stare up at the massive building, its shiny glass panes reflecting the dark night around us. It looks more like an office building, a miniature skyscraper. But when we step inside, it looks nothing like any office building I've ever seen.
The roof arches high overhead, at least ten stories up. A giant crystal chandelier hangs there in the center, suspended above a marble floor. There must be ten floors, each of which has its own glass rail guard wrapping the whole way around the building.
And there are peopleeverywhere.
“I thought you said it was going to be a small affair.” Katrina says nervously, drawing my attention to her.
She looks even more nervous than I feel.
“It was meant to be.” Dex says, sounding confused. “Where did all these people come from?”
As if on cue, a tall brunette struts toward us on a set of heels that she doesn't so much as teeter in despite the pencil skirt that has to make walking difficult.
“You're here! ThankGod. Your investors are here... and so are your competitors.”
“Competitors?” Cal frowns, rolling his cuff and scanning the room as if he can find whoever she's talking about. He looks confident, in control, like he’s right at home among all the men and women in swanky attire and bottles of champagne that cost more than my 3D printer did.
“Yes. Garrett Frazier Wilkinson.”
“What the fuck?” Dex snaps. “Who let him in?”
“I... he bought a ticket.” The brunette swallows nervously, looking between all of us.
Cal seems to realize he hasn’t introduced us and takes the moment to do so, switching gears so fast I grab the back of his arm to steady myself under the newcomer’s gaze.
“Molly,” he says softly, “have you met my fiancée?”
“Fiancée?” Molly's eyes snap to me in shock, and I get ready to standmy ground.
She's pretty enough, and the tone of her voice leads me to think she's judging the assessment. That makes two of us.
“I thought we were keeping that a secret tonight.” I grit, forcing a smile.
“Not from Molly.” Cal waves a hand. “She keeps things functioning. I don't have secrets from her.”
“Wanna bet?” I challenge.
Cal lifts a brow, and Dex snorts, unable to contain himself as Molly looks thoroughly confused. I catch Katrina biting her lip to contain a bubble of laughter and turn to Molly.
“Do you know about Mr. Pig?”
“Mr. Pig?” Molly frowns, looking over my shoulder to Cal for clarification. “Is he a guest or...?” She glances down at the tablet in her hand, scrolling feverishly.
“Don't worry about it, Molly.” Cal says warmly. “Just tell me where that fucking asshole Wilkinson is so I can go make sure he's not poaching my investors now, too.”
“Theater seven.”
“Thank you, Molly.” Dex says in parting as Cal guides me away from his assistant.
“Really?” Cal shakes his head. “You brought Mr. Pig into this?”
“What kind of name is Mr. Pig anyway?”
