“Thank you, Heidi, you too.”
I walk toward the entrance to the building, and the doors are quickly pulled open for me. I step inside the dealership, which has been completely changed over to look like a high-end casino. All different kinds of gaming tables are set up, and so is a stage. There’s a large circular bar in the center of the room, and a long buffet set up on the right wall. There are tables draped in white linen for people to hang out and eat at, and video monitors in the room display information for the event. Upbeat pop music fills the air—the DJ has already gone into high gear spinning some pulsating tunes.
The room is crowded with fans, even though the event doesn’t officially start for another half hour. The dress code is black tie, and I’m in a sea of black suits and tuxes and sequins.
I smile. Lots and lots of sequins. Which makes me glad I went for feathers.
The gaming tables and silent auction haven’t opened yet, so I decide to dash into the ladies’ room to check my makeup. I enter and find another woman checking her appearance in the mirror,too. We smile at each other and say hello, and then I shift my attention to what I see reflected back at me in the glass.
My hair falls in waves down past my shoulders. I’ve done soft browns on my eyelids to make my blue eyes pop. I’m wearing a matte red lipstick—my signature color.
And of course, I have shimmery cheekbones.
I frown a bit. I shouldn’t have used the shimmer balm tonight. I mean, it was my first time trying it—what an idiot move to make. But I wanted radiant, glowy skin.
And oh, I’m glowing all right. With gooey cheeks.
I thought the product would have died down by now—no such luck.
But if I try to pat it down, I’m going to lift off the rest of my makeup or smear it. So I can tell I’m going to be fighting it all night, trying to keep my hair out of it.
FAB.
I carefully push my hair away from my face once again and exit the restroom. I stand on the precipice of the room, searching the crowd. I don’t spot my parents right away, so I make my way through the crowd to the auction tables. There’s lots of sports memorabilia, including framed jerseys from all kinds of professional athletes. I move past those to the table that has experiences, ranging from golf outings to sitting in a suite for a Miami Copperheads game.
I don’t see any experiences I’d like to have.
I smile to myself. Nope, that’s a lie. I don’t see any experiences I can afford to have.
“Scarlett,” a familiar voice says from behind me.
I turn around, finding my dad standing behind me. “Hi, Daddy!” I say, going in for a hug. My father’s familiar embrace warms me before he steps back, giving me a shrewd look.
“It’s a good thing my players know you’re off-limits,” he says, his blue eyes crinkling up in the corners. “Because you look beautiful tonight.”
I feel a blush creep up my cheeks. Of course, nobody can probably see it due to the darkness of the room. Or the fact that it’s hidden by a thick layer of pearl shimmer.
“Dad, stop,” I say.
“Complimenting you? Not a chance.”
“No, not that.” I chuckle. “Trust me, none of your players will come near me.”
He rakes a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair and frowns. “Well, dressed like that you might tempt them.”
“No, I won’t,” I reassure him. “Besides, you—along with my way overprotective brothers—have drilled that lesson into my head. No players.”
“I’m glad to hear your brothers did their job.”
I roll my eyes. “I don’t need any of you to do your job. No player has ever shown the slightest bit of interest in me. I don’t expect them to start now. Where’s Mom?” I ask, hoping to change the subject.
“She’s socializing with some of the foundation board members,” Dad says.
I nod. Over his shoulder, I can see there’s already fans waiting for him. I lean forward so I can speak in his ear. “A line is queuing behind you for selfies,” I murmur in his ear.
He smiles. “I understand. Well, have fun tonight, honey. I love you.”
“Love you, too, Dad.”
