“Wow.” I let out a low whistle as we enter the ballroom.
Tall vases of flowers sit on each table surrounded by small, flickering candles. Long swaths of white fabric hang from the walls and ceiling with glittering lights behind them. People are milling about as servers in white jackets serve hors d’oeuvres and glasses of champagne.
I grab a glass and take a gulp.
“You sure you’re okay?” Graham asks, eyeing me over his own glass.
Some of our teammates are already here, lingering near the walls so as not to be the first to break the ice.
“Would you guys quit asking me that? I’m fine.”
“Sure you are,” Noah says. “Maybe you just miss Twatopotamus.”
“Her name is Zucchini,” I growl. “That is not catching on.”
“Oh yeah, he misses his cat.” Noah ignores me. “That’s pretty cute.”
Ignoring them, I find our table and drop down into my chair. All of the guys and their partners come and take their seats.
This is one of those times I hate being the only single person. The empty seat next to me is a glaring reminder that I’m alone.
Who knows? If Quinn had decided to come over and meet Zucchini—and me—maybe she’d be here with me tonight.
I make idle chitchat with everyone, eating my bland chicken.
It’s fine. It’s like every other fundraising gala before this one. I’ve never brought anyone before, so why am I moping about it now?
Maybe it’s because I wish I had someone with me? I can’t imagine what would have happened if I told the guys about Quinn and wanting to bring her and then she didn’t show up.
I don’t know if I could ever live down that embarrassment.
Before long, we’re shuffled out of our seats after dinner before Genevieve takes the stage. Something I know because the girls have talked about it all night.
She’s a force on stage. In a black dress with a cut-out on the side, it highlights her curvy figure.
Hell, maybe I could try and talk to her again. We had fun talking for those few minutes before she sang the national anthem.
Couldn’t hurt.
The universe must be working in my favor when she walks in our direction after finishing a few songs.
“Hi there.” Genevieve comes up to our table. “I’m Genevieve. It’s nice to meet you.”
I snort but Bode elbows me in the side.
“What?” I throw my hands up in defense. “It’s not like she needs to introduce herself when she’s the world’s biggest pop star.”
She smiles at me and it does funny things to my insides. “It’s only polite.”
“More polite than him.” Bode laughs.
“It’s nice to meet you…” Genevieve holds her hand out to me.
“Jasper.” Taking her hand, a flash of electricity moves up my arm. “But we’ve already met before.”
Should I be offended she doesn’t remember me?
She flashes me an award-winning smile. “I think I’d remember if I’d met one of the Knights’ greatest players.”
