Page 61 of Billionaire’s Game

“1970s prostitute?”

We all began to laugh and I was happy for the light-hearted moment until a limousine pulled up to the curb. I instantly recognized who it belonged to. After all, there was only one like it in the country, maybe the world, even.

The driver came around and opened the door as we all watched. As I figured, Violet stumbled out in go-go boots, white hot pants and a cropped sheer, white top. She saw us and gave us a wave and started approaching us. She looked fantastic, of course. I looked like Velma from Scooby Doo in comparison.

“Love the costumes, ladies,” she said. She frowned when she saw Misha. “What’s up with the sweatpants? Get rid of them and show some legs.”

“No, thanks. I don’t want to catch a cold or something.”

Violet laughed. “That’s something my grandma would say. No offense—”

“No offense taken,” Misha said with a tight smile. I was surprised Misha was able to control herself. Clearly, she was offended by Violet’s comment, but she’d managed to restrain herself. Having children had apparently mellowed her.

I noticed then that Magnus didn’t get out.

“Didn’t Magnus come with you?” I asked, unable to help myself.

“Oh, he’s showing up later. He had some business to take care of. He’s kind of a bore. Always working. I thought dating a billionaire would be much more exciting, but it’s been pretty much boredom after boredom. I had to practically beg him to come to this party.” She shook her head. “Sad, isn’t it?”

“Tragic,” I muttered.

“Anyway, let’s go get this party started! Wooohooo!”

We cheered too, with about a quarter of her enthusiasm, and then headed up the steps into the community center where the party was being held. It was a party held every year by a nonprofit who provided leadership training to other nonprofits in the city. Every year, various nonprofits in the area gathered for the party. It was the perfect networking event and the shindig attracted quite a few newscasters and famous people. Apparently, everyone wanted to be seen giving back to a good cause. Tickets weren’t cheap. All employees for the nonprofits got in free, but everyone else paid a whopping $100 per plate. The proceeds were then awarded by a vote to the nonprofit deemed most deserving. I hoped Ophelia’s Angels won, but I was biased. I loved working there.

The music was loud and pumping. To my surprise, there were already people on the dance floor, busting moves to seventies hits. Maya was there in full seventies dress, complete with crutches, and she instantly pulled me on the dance floor as soon as she saw me. She started dancing around me, yelling out, “Go, Lesli! Gom Lesli! Go, go, go, Lesli!” And soon a circle had formed around us with other people cheering me on. I looked to Lacey, Emmaline, or Misha to save me, but they were all at the bar. Then Violet joined us and the three of us jiggled and wiggled around. I found myself laughing and actually having a good time.

I thought about how just a few weeks ago, I probably would have run from the dance floor, but now I was busting a move, badly, but I was having fun. Finally, the song ended. Maya high-fived me and went off with Violet to get a drink.

“Tearing up this dance floor has got me crazy thirsty,” Maya said and Violet concurred. As I’d known they would, they’d gotten along instantly. They were so much alike, it was either they would get along great or hate each other. I was glad it was the former and not the latter.

As they walked away, I looked around, wondering if Magnus was there yet. From my position on the dance floor, I could easily see the entrance and exits. Magnus and I hadn’t discussed the party the other day on the phone. We had just talked about his family and how his parents were finally reconciling after over a decade of not even speaking with each other. I was happy for him and wondered if it were family business or actual business that was making him run late today.

I tried to focus on the party instead of Magnus’s appearance. There were a ton of older people there, shaking it to music I hadn’t heard since my youth. Mom had been a huge fan of music from the seventies. I was glad so many members of the community had shown up to support such a great cause.

I slinked away toward the side of the room as the dance floor began to fill up again. It was then that I saw him, and he instantly saw me too.

He made a beeline straight across the dance floor, smiling as he headed toward me. A couple twirling to a song being played by the DJ ran into Magnus, but he seemed to barely notice as he made his way to me. I watched him watching me. My whole body responded to his presence. I shyly looked his way as goosebumps appeared on my bare arms.

Finally, he was standing in front of me and I wanted to wrap myself in his arms in greeting. It took every fiber of my being not to.

“Hi.”

“Hi.”

“I—”

“You—”

We both started talking at the same time and then laughed. “You first,” I said, still smiling. He looked so handsome even though he was wearing a white leisure suit that looked like something John Travolta wore in Saturday Night Fever. The movie had come out way before my time, but my mother loved John Travolta so I’d been commanded to watch all of his movies.

“You look great,” he said to me. He then let his eyes scan my body. It was brief and discrete, but enough to make me feel flushed. I was wearing hot pants too and a cropped top. Thankfully, my shorts actually covered my bottom.

I blushed and said, “You look very John Travolta-ish.”

He raised a brow and said, “Thanks. I think.”

“You just look... gorgeous. The seventies suits you.”