Page 79 of Hard to Fake

My chest tightens. I didn’t expect to get emotional over a single speech.

“Sisterhood is about having each other’s backs, living the ups and downs of life, accepting who we want to be but also who we are right now.”

She continues for another few minutes, ending to even more applause than when she started.

Dinner is served, and we make small talk between courses and speakers.

Shortly before dessert, I watch Caroline walk over to the head table where Elise is sitting with our other uber-successful alum—I considered seating her with us, but it felt like an overt abuse of power—and say something to her.

The woman looks surprised, but rises and follows Caroline out of the room.

“Where are they off to?” I whisper to Miles.

He shakes his head.

I stand, smoothing my dress. “Excuse me,” I say and slip out after the two women.

When I reach the hallway, there’s no sign of them.

Warning bells go off in my mind.

Caroline knows I’m pitching Elise. She’s trying to get in first.

Not happening.

I stalk down the hallways like a hunter in search of prey.

I’ve walked nearly an entire square of the facility and stuck my head outside without spotting them.

Finally, I spot a door labeled “PRIVATE” with a sign taped over it that reads “STAFF ONLY.”

I push inside.

The room is a large office with half a dozen empty desks in open-concept style. A pinboard on the wall has upcoming events being held at the venue. There’s another closed door near the entry.

I step toward it, turning the handle cautiously as I push it inward.

Darkness. Inside is some kind of closet. Coats, maybe, or supplies. I feel the inside for a lightswitch?—

“What are you doing?”

The male voice has me spinning.

It’s Miles, standing in the open doorway to the hall.

Relief has my shoulders sagging.

I tug him in and shut the door.

“I thought Caroline went in here,” I whisper loudly. “I need to find her and Elise.”

“And you figured they’d be updating spreadsheets in their cocktail dresses?” He glances around.

“This is Caroline we’re talking about. I’m not going to let her pull one over on me again.”

I shoot him a look, distracted again by how gorgeous he is in the clothes I picked out. “You clean up really well, you know that?”

His lips tip up. “Thought you weren’t indulging my ego.”

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