Page 69 of Unmasking Mr. Crown

Fucking Roman! It’s all his fault! Mr. Crown was right there, and he⁠—

A call from Noah interrupted her internal rant. She answered, her tone defeated. "Noah, listen–"

"Don't tell me you've locked yourself in the ladies’ room?" he barked.

"What are you talking about?”

"Where the hell are you?"

"Home."

"Let me get this straight. I broke out my prized Versace tux, rushed my skinny ass down here—against my better judgment—and you're not even here?”

"Wait … you're there?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm here. Royally pissed off but looking fabulous. I've closed a ring on my Apple Watch walking all over this damn hotel and⁠—"

"Noah, I am so sorry, but⁠—"

"So, let's hear it. Chipped nail? Broken heel? Your monthly visitor? I'm sure you have some excuse."

"My ex is there."

"Your ex? You mean the yummy Italian morsel with the lead foot?"

"That's the one. And feel free to take a nibble if you like. I do not want him," she said with disgust.

"You two had words?" he inquired.

"You wouldn't believe it. I don't even believe it!"

"What happened?"

"He said he wanted us to have dinner! Said he wanted to spend time with me, apologize, all while his-his-his pregnant supermodel wife was standing less than ten feet from us!" she ranted.

"That reckless little pepperoni!"

“And if that’s not bad enough … I saw Mr. Crown.”

Noah’s gasp was followed by several beats of silence.

“I’m sorry, there must be a bad connection because it sounded like you just said you saw Mr. Crown.”

“I did. He was there. We had a conversation but didn’t recognize each other.”

“Ho. Lee. Shit. Are you sure it was him?”

“I saw him without his mask right as he was leaving. I tried to catch him but …”

Natalie touched the back of her hand, remembering the clamminess of his palm. They’d actually touched. Skin to skin. She’d looked into his eyes—dulled by illness but still a beautiful shade of blue.

“And if you’d caught him? What then?” Noah asked.

Good question. One she absolutely did not have an answer for.

"What about Blaine? Did you ever find him?"

"Noah, I wouldn't recognize Blaine without a mask, much less with one. And I spent the majority of my time in rest rooms in various states of dress. The night was a total loss and one I want to forget. Tell Otto the shrimp were huge and the champagne runs about forty bucks a bottle. A beautiful event. Nothing more to add."