Page 73 of Beck and Call

After Jana and I decided to call it quits for the day we snuck out of the building. Beckett's driver, Dave, pulled up in front of the building and we both climbed in. "I don't know if I can make it a month working with your cousin," I admitted.

"I agree. The party is tomorrow night, and I don't see any reason we need to stick around to watch the fall out."

I leaned forward to speak to Dave. "Can you take Jana home first? I'd like to run up and grab a couple of things."

"Why don't you just move back in?" Jana asked. "You spend more nights there than at home. That is if you even consider my apartment to be home."

"I'm getting there. I just wish I could know we were strong enough to survive another storm."

Back at Beckett's apartment, I set my overnight bag down by the door. He looked at it with disdain but didn't say anything about it. Progress.

"What would you like to do for dinner tonight? I'm afraid, since it's been just me here, I don't have much in the way of groceries."

My stomach grumbled. I'd had some nausea, but thankfully that was starting to pass. "I'd love pasta actually."

"Hmm," he got up and searched through the fridge. "I do have chicken and broccoli fettuccini Alfredo if that sounds good to you."

"That sounds perfect." I got up to help him start putting everything together.

"I got a notification that the launch party for Easton Vodka is happening tomorrow. Why didn't you mention it?" he asked.

"Because it's going to be a horrible disaster. I'm only going for a few minutes with Jana, then we are leaving so we don't look like we are responsible for it."

"I'd like to go with you," he said.

I shook my head. "I don't want your name associated with that party. It might give Chad some layer of respectability, and I'm rooting for him to fail."

"If that's what you want. I'll trust your judgment. Can I at least drop you off?" he asked.

I kissed his cheek. "If you don't mind waiting for about a half an hour, you can take me home too."

* * *

Beckett rode with Jana and I to the club. "Are you sure you don't want me to go in with you?"

"Positive. We won't be long," I promised.

"But, if we are longer than thirty minutes, come in and make an excuse. Just in case my father tries to make us stay," Jana suggested.

"It isn't my first time dealing with your father. I know how he is. I'll be there in thirty if I don't see you first," he promised.

Malcolm's club wasn't as packed as the first time Jana and I came. There weren't any lines going around the block. Either word had gotten out that the club was closed for a private party, or whoever Chad’s guests were didn’t draw enough interest to wait around to catch a glimpse of them.

Once we were inside it appeared most of Chad's guests weren't planning on attending his ultra exclusive release party either. There were a few guests clustered at tables. The DJ was spinning tunes for an empty dance floor. Gold gift bags sat on top of a table along one wall.

"He got the gift bags?" I asked.

"I couldn't talk him out of them," she replied.

"How much did he spend on this party?"

"All of it," she confirmed.

Chad came up to us, smiling from ear to ear. "It's great, isn't it?"

"Are there more people coming?" Jana asked.

Chad shrugged.

---