Emily walks in dressed in a peach-colored gown, surprising me. “Hey! I didn’t know you were coming to the party tonight,” I say, giving her a quick hug. “You look amazing. I love that color on you!” I introduce her to my mom and Maya, telling them what an amazing boss she is.
“The Langford annual ball is a big deal,” Emily says when the introductions are over, “so the whole team is here. They’ll stay out of the way so as not to be a distraction, but they’re here just to make sure things go off without a hitch.”
“Isn’t that what the event planners are for?”
“The event planners are running the event. We are running the extra things that pertain to you and Asher.”
She looks me over with a critical eye. Not in a rude way, but in the, it’s her job to make sure I look a specific way for specific events, way. She gives a relieved sigh, clearly happy with what she sees.
“And what things pertain to Asher and me?” I can’t help but ask, starting to feel nervous.
“Asher wants it to be a surprise.” She rolls her eyes, and it looks like she’s genuinely worried and frustrated. “I can’t tell you what’s in store, but I need to give you some heads up. Tonight is big. Likebig, big. So you need to be perfect. Remember any reaction of yours will be seen by a room full ofpeople, and all those people have cell phones with cameras. Anything you do or say can be leaked to the press in a matter of seconds.”
“You’re making me nervous. Is this big thing a bad thing?”
She sighs. “No, it’s a good thing. A very good thing from our PR perspective. I just worry about you.”
“Oh my god, what is it?” I can’t help asking again. My nerves are getting out of hand.
“Just know that tonight’s event will be making the news, so be prepared for a barrage of it tomorrow. And you should know that there will also be a professional photographer taking photos that will be given to the press, not leaked. These will be officially released Langford photos.” She turns to Trenton. “Her lipstick is kiss-proof?”
“It is, just as ordered.”
Emily nods. “You all did your jobs well, she looks perfect.” Now she turns back to me. “Good luck tonight, Ella. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“That wasn’t foreboding at all,” Maya says, taking my hand. “What the hell is happening tonight?”
I shrug. “With Asher? It could literally be anything.”
“I’ll try to get something out of Sterling. Maybe he’ll tell me, and then I’ll let you know.”
“I don’t know if that will work. If Asher’s ordered it to be a secret, it’s going to be a fucking secret.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s going to be spectacular!” Andre says, packing up his station of hair tools.
“You know what it is?”
He gives me a knowing smile. “Of course I do. Everyone on your team but you knows. We’ve all been prepped, and I can’t wait to see it. Trenton and I were invited personally by Mr. Langford! We’ve never been to a party like this, even with all our rich bitch clients. We can’t wait!”
“See you there!” Trenton says, waving for me to get a move on. We’re running a few minutes behind.
With that, we make our way down the second story hallway to the grand staircase, and now I really do feel like a princess of old as my mother, Maya, and I start down the stairs.
Asher and his family are all gathered in the grand foyer below, and I try not to blush as they all look up and watch our decent. Asher’s eyes meet mine. He looks a little surprised for a moment, and then his surprise morphs into the dazzling smile I rarely see except behind closed doors. His eyes never leave mine until I’m standing before him.
“You are a vision,” he whispers.
“Thank you. You look amazing yourself.” And he does. All the men are in smart tuxes, and Asher fills his out like some Adonis in the flesh.
“I can’t wait to peel that dress off you later,” Asher murmurs in my ear.
I laugh, low and quiet. “Same. You better watch yourself tonight, Mr. Langford, or you might find yourself fucked in a broom closet during the party.”
He raises his brow. “Is that a threat or a promise?”
“Both.”
He kisses my temple. “I knew I liked you.”
