“My stomach can’t wait,” Grady said.
“Mine either,” Madison said, taking his hand as they walked over to get a better look.
It was an impressive spread, including a raw bar with oysters and shrimp, a carving station with prime rib, miniature tacos, bruschetta, cheese boards, a chocolate fountain surrounded by strawberries and marshmallows.
“Tyler, you guys can go ahead get something to eat,” Seraphina said. “I have to mingle a little.”
“Will you keep an eye on Madison and Margot?” Esme asked the older kids.
“We got you,” Grace said. “Come on, let’s do this. And Seraphina, if it’s appropriate, I would like to meet Pepper Griffin. Maybe get a photo, if you think that’s okay?”
“I’ll make sure it happens,” I said.
“How about now?”
We all turned to see Pepper standing there.
Grace covered her mouth with her hands, as if stuffing a scream back inside.
Pepper smiled at Grace. “I hear you’re quite the super star at your high school.”
Grace simply stared at her. It might have been the first time I’d ever seen her tongue-tied.
“Your Aunt Seraphina told me all about you,” Pepper said. “And aren’t you lucky to know some people in the industry already? Study your craft and let me know when you’re ready.”
“Oh. My. God. Thank you.” Grace was visibly shaking. “I love you. All your films. And you’re so pretty.”
“Thanks, doll.” Pepper gave her a kind smile. “Now, I have to take Seraphina around and introduce her to some folks, but it was nice to meet you.”
“You … you too,” Grace said.
The men followed the kids over to the buffet table, supervising as everyone filled plates.
The older kids claimed a high-top table near the dance floor. Husbands had formed their own cluster near the bar. Grady and Vance were deep in conversation as they swirled two glasses of red wine. Alex had his phone out, likely checking in with the nanny about Leo.
Seraphina was swept away by Pepper then, leaving me alone. I hung back and watched. This was her night. Her moment. I didn’t need to be in the middle of it.
“Hunter Sloan.” A voice called out my name, slightly high-pitched. “Wasn’t that just magnificent?”
Brooke Gaines appeared at my elbow, champagne glass in hand, smile wide. The Hawthorne marketing director with vampire energy. I recognized her from photos Seraphina had taken at a book signing. She wore something silver and sparkly that caught the light every time she moved.
“It was great,” I said.
“I always knew this film would be special. From the very first pitch meeting, I said to Sylvia—this is it. This is going to put Seraphina Sinclair back on the map.” She sipped her champagne. “Not that she was ever off it, of course. But you know how these things go. Visibility is everything.”
An image of Seraphina crying in her hotel room a few hours ago because of an article this woman’s publicity push had set in motion flashed before my eyes. I kept my expression neutral.
“She’s talented,” I said. “The work speaks for itself.”
“It certainly does. And with the buzz from tonight, plus all the recent press coverage.” She gave me a knowing look. “We’re projecting a significant bump in backlist sales. It’s going to be epic.”
Before I could respond, Sylvia appeared. Seraphina’s editor. She was a sharp-eyed woman in her sixties with silver hair, wearing a black dress.
“I’m Sylvia,” she said warmly. “Seraphina’s editor. It’s nice to meet you in person.”
“Likewise.”Not really.But I was going to play nice so it didn’t hurt Seraphina’s career in any way. However, I really wanted to give them both a piece of my mind.
“Seraphina’s a treasure. One of our best. I’ve been telling her for years she’s capable of more than she gives herself credit for.” Sylvia glanced at Brooke. “We’re very optimistic about her future at Hawthorne.”
