Page 91 of The Main Event

“Or some people just don’t care about the Kardashians,” I replied. “That’s what I’m getting at, though. Personally, I think you should let your guests dress up however they want. It allows you to learn something about their personalities.”

“Like what?” Chloe seemed curious, but I knew we were walking a fine line.

“Well, for example, Levi here dressed up as Frankenstein a few weeks ago.” I pointed toward my best friend. “He just jazzed up the costume so he was a sophisticated Frankenstein.”

“That sounds boring,” Chloe lamented.

“And Mr. Hunter here dressed up as Mr. Monopoly,” I continued. “He was very dapper. It showed that he’s a businessman who likes things fancy.”

Jax made a face. “Or it showed that I didn’t have time to run and get another costume because I didn’t realize there was a party.”

“Or that.” I smirked in the face of his outrage.

“What did you dress up as?” Chloe asked.

“Elvira.”

“Is she onReal Housewives of Atlanta?”

“No, she was a big horror hostess years ago. She’s seeing a resurgence lately.”

“She has the best dresses,” Jax teased.

Chloe didn’t look convinced. “You don’t think the Kardashians are cooler?”

“Definitely not,” I replied. “Plus, it’s better to let people be who they want to be. You can like or dislike them all you want, but forcing people to be something they’re not never works.”

“It’s my birthday, though,” she persisted. “I think what I say should go.”

Jax was the one who responded. “If you let people be who they want to be, then you might be surprised at how much you like them … even when you think you might not. To you, Frankenstein is a boring costume. The way Levi did it, though, I bet you would’ve liked it. He was a buff Frankenstein, with rhinestones.”

That tidbit had Chloe perking up. “That sounds a little less lame.”

“I’m never lame,” Levi informed her. “Listen to Daisy and Jax. You’ll like it better if everybody gets to pick how they’re dressed.”

“Fine.” Chloe slumped in her chair. “I guess it will be fine. I’m still dressing like Kim Kardashian. I already bought a fake butt.”

“You do you,” I said. “Everybody will be happy all around. Trust me.”

I FINISHED THINGS UP WITH PHYLLIS ANDChloe, then I went to Jax’s office. He was alone, seemingly concentrating on something he was working on in a ledger, and when I knocked, he looked irritated.

Then he saw it was me. “Come in.” He motioned toward the curtain that covered the glass panel on his door. “Shut that.”

“Oh, are we doing something kinky?” I teased as I followed his instructions.

His eyes momentarily gleamed with hunger, then his smile slipped. “It’s been an interesting morning. How have things been for you?”

“Oh, they’ve been delightful,” I drawled. “Levi has been playing it cold. He refuses to actually ask if the rumors are true. I’m letting him stew for a bit. Most everybody else has just been curious. I refuse to answer their questions. Then there’s been Tammy, she keeps making the sign of the cross when she sees me.”

“Like you’re the antichrist?”

“Pretty much.”

“Well, that’s better than what she’s been doing with me.” He leaned back in his chair and loosened his tie. I couldn’t remember ever seeing him this worn down.

“Are you okay?” I started toward him and then stopped myself. If I put my hands on him, one thing might lead to another. The Hunter was a hotel. It was still where we worked. “Did something happen with your dad?”

“The same thing that always happens with him. He basically told me what I have to do with the hotel. He doesn’t care that I have a different opinion.”

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