He nods.
Gage chuckles. “You sure you weren’t just coming up here for a quickie?”
Wren’s cheeks heat bright red, and she ducks her head and rests her hand over her growing belly.
Atlas barks out a laugh. “Did someone see us last year?”
I gape at him. “Are you serious?”
How the hell did I miss that happening on my watch?
He nods, and I cut my gaze back to Gage, who can’t stop grinning.
“See, I told you.” He winks. “We had plenty of time.”
Shaking my head, I brush off his continued flirtation and raise a brow at Atlas. “What were you looking for us to talk about?”
He approaches, his hand wrapped around Wren’s. “I was wondering if you’ve seen Astrid.”
Instantly, my stomach drops. “What do you mean?”
He runs his free hand through his hair. “She was at the table with us earlier, but I’ve been looking for her for like twenty minutes and haven’t been able to find her.”
I pull out of Gage’s hold and move back over to the edge of the balcony to look out across the party, scanning for her familiar pale-blond hair.
There are dozens of blond heads—socialites, friends, politicians, everyone we cram in here every year to raise money.
But not the one I’m searching for.
“I don’t see her…”
Atlas offers a concerned look. “She’s been…a little off lately. Quiet. You don’t think she would’ve left without telling anyone, do you?”
Gage shakes his head, all that humor and warmth draining from his eyes. “No. You all stay here and search from above. I’ll go look for her.”
GAGE
My pounding footsteps echo through the old stone stairwell as I make my way down from the balcony and out into the main event space.
The party rages around me. Hundreds of people dressed to the nines, chatting, drinking, socializing, all here to support the Hawkes and their endeavor to raise money for the good of the city of New Orleans.
It should be a fun night, a night to celebrate all these people coming together for such a good cause.
And ten minutes ago, I would’ve said that Bishop and I could have slipped out of here without anyone noticing and gone and had a repeat of last night.
But now any of that lightheartedness has disappeared along with Astrid.
I immediately make my way over to Skye where she sits at one of the family tables with Storm and Landon, Angelina, Allie, and Pope. “Have any of you seen Astrid?”
They shake their heads, and Skye narrows her gaze on me.
“No, but Atlas was looking for her earlier.” Her brow furrows. “Is something wrong?”
I try my best to keep my rising concern out of my voice, so I don’t panic her. “I don’t think so, but if you see her, tell her I’m looking for her.”
Skye nods. “I will. I’m sure she’s just in the bathroom or talking with someone in a quiet corner.”
“You’re probably right.” I force a smile. “There probably isn’t any reason to worry.”
