“See the guys dressed all in the same gray?”
At Theo’s instructions I scanned around. It wasn’t hard to spot them, guarding every entrance and exit.
“Yes.”
“Those are Donovan’s people,” said Theo. “Steer clear of them.”
“Got it.”
I was walking unintentionally slow, taking everything in. Men and women pushed past me, without even glancing back. They gathered into small groups, talking and laughing. Plucking foie gras mousse appetizers from silver platters, carried by white-gloved staff, who seemed to be everywhere.
“Alright, are you near the stage?”
“Not yet, but I will be,” I replied.
“Okay, get into position.”
The sheer scope of the event was overwhelming; almost to the point of impossibility. Then again, with Donovan, it always was. I picked out two different senators, surrounded by staff. A particular hedge fund titan I’d been introduced to, right after our engagement. There were doctors and lawyers, tech founders, political donors with deep pockets from generations-old, family dynasties. I picked my way through them all, until I got where I needed to be.
“I’m here,” I said with a slight shudder.
“Good,” Theo came back. “I have eyes on you.”
I scanned around, without trying to make it look obvious. If there were cameras, I couldn’t pick out a single one.
“You do?”
“Oh yeah. Scratch your ass, so I know it’s you.”
My mouth dropped open. “I amnotscratching my ass!”
Theo’s laugh was like warm caramel in my right ear.
“Fine, then. I just wanted to see if you’d do it.”
I chuckled, smoothed my dress down, then appeased him by reaching back and giving my rump a quick pat. Theo blew me a kiss through the earpiece. The smacking sound gave me goosebumps.
“Alright perv,” I teased. “Anything else you need me to do now that I’m here, in the middle of this weirdo crowd?”
“Yes,” Theo instructed firmly. “Melt.”
