Page 6 of The Plus-One Deal

“I’m more a jet guy,” I said.

“Me too, all the way.” She found a long bench overlooking the city and sat with a sigh, and kicked off her shoes. I sat down beside her.

“Pinchy toes?”

“You know it.”

“How’ve you been, these last few months? Feels like I’ve barely heard from you with your whole grand relaunch.”

“You’re one to talk, Mr. King of the Castle.” She raised the glass she’d brought up with her. “To you.”

“No, to us.” I clinked my glass on hers before she could contradict me. “Can you believe we’re sitting here, just like we wanted? Looking down on the city like we always said?”

“I’m looking up,” said Claire. “To whatever comes next.”

“Always got to one-up me…” I laughed, and so did Claire.

“Joking aside, though, it’s been a ride.” She set her glass on the bench and gazed up at the sky. “Branding’s always been kind of my bugbear. I’m not a designer. I don’t get the, uh, zeitgeist. I have to sit back and listen to people who do, make myself trust them. Put my fate in their hands. I hate when it isn’tmein control.”

“You’re still in control,” I said. “You make the decisions.”

“Hopefully the right ones.” Claire crossed her fingers. “No, but seriously, how lucky are we? Tonight is amazing, this campus, this view. You’ll do great things here. I can just feel it.”

I sat there and studied her as she took in the starlight. A thought crossed my mind, kind of a sad one: I’d asked how she’d been and she’d talked about work. She always did, and I guessed so did I. She never mentioned her friends, or any lovers, only how far she’d come and what she’d planned next. What was her life like outside of work? Did she even have one? I did, in my head, a wishful to-do list for when I had time. Maybe she was lonely. Maybe?—

“Oh, while I’ve got you, I almost forgot.” Claire stretched her feet out and toed her shoes back on. She got off the bench and went to the railing. “I have a conference next month in TheBahamas, a big fashion summit, a total nightmare. But there’ll be a designer there Ineedfor Timeless.”

I rose as well, smiling. “So, you need your plus-one?”

“And maybe a ride on that plush jet of yours.” Claire turned and winked at me, and I found myself laughing. I came up beside her and bumped my shoulder on hers.

“I’ll be there,” I said. “How long do you need me?”

“It’s a three-day event, but I’m just flying in for the last night. So, just a quick overnight. That ought to do it. With our dream-team charm, I?—”

The elevator dinged softly and the doors slid open. Guests came spilling out, oohing and aahing, rushing to check out the view from the top.

“A fountain! Got change? Let’s make a wish.”

“I think that’s a koi pond, maybe? They might be hiding under the lilies.”

“I’ve got some quarters.”

“I wishIworked here.”

I groaned as the first quarter splashed into the pool. “Why didn’t I lock that elevator?”

“They’d have taken the stairs.” Claire smiled wide and bright at the crowd closing in. Joe emerged from amongst them and sidled up to my elbow.

“Sorry,” he muttered. “We have a situation downstairs.”

“A situation?”

“One of your investors is, uh, well, he’s singing. He’s on the piano, doing ‘Sweet Caroline.’ I don’t want to involve security, but he’s definitely drunk. He’s cleared the atrium already?—”

“Right. I’ve got this.”

I sneaked one last glance over his shoulder at Claire. She was charming my guests, drawing out their stories. She’d always been good at that, getting people to trust her. Getting just about anyone to loosen up in her presence. I felt tighter, myself, walking away, a thread of irritation weaving its way through my good mood.

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