Page 74 of Blackmail
Penelope wanders up to sniff at my brother’s shoe, and he scratches absently at her head, after I told him not to. I guess it’s a day for miracles though, because instead of hissing and biting at him, she rubs against his leg and jumps up on the couch to stick her butt in his face.
“I guess you’re right,” Gabe says after a minute. “It’s scary though, Is—uh, Simon. I’ve never woken up in the morning without a job to do, and right now, when I picture my future, I can’t see anything.”
I rush over to hug him. “I know. You’re gonna figure it out, though. I’ll help you.”
Two hours later, I’m in a tux feeding a soft-spoken engineer named Drew.
“Here you go.” I set down a plate and a glass of champagne, lifting a mushroom tartlet for him to try.
“Mmm.” He smiles and finishes the bite I’ve fed him. “It’s good. I’m gonna ask you to get me more of these.”
“Your wish is my command.” I glance around at the glittering ballroom, the men in tuxes, the women in sparkly gowns. “So, what’s this gala about, Drew?”
He rolls his eyes. “Wetland preservation.”
“Isn’t that sort of an important thing?”
“Of course it’s important. But we’re surrounded by people who will show up to a shindig like this to see and be seen as philanthropists. Then they’ll turn around and build yet another golf course, even though native plants and animals are killed to build it, spend the day on their gas-guzzling yacht, and have a nice juicy steak on their private plane on their way to the next charity event. It’s a lot of bullshit.”
“So what the fuck are you doing here?”
He laughs. “Because it isn’t completely bullshit. The money goes to worthwhile programs. Most importantly, though, my company is one of the sponsors.”
“Ah. I get it now. You’re here so your bosses know you showed up. Same reason I showed up at my company’s last barbecue just long enough to sing karaoke and then leave.”
“You don’t strike me as a karaoke kind of guy.”
“You do an off-key rendition of Paris Paloma’s ‘Good Boy’ and nobody forgets you showed up or accuses you of not being a team player at your next review.”
“Maybe I should call you next time my company hosts karaoke then.”
It’s a simple statement, probably not even a serious one. This guy’s PJ’s regular, not mine. The thing is, karaoke sounds like something people do on “real” dates. Aaaand now the split second of overthinking has thrown a stutter into my flirt game.
“S-sure. Yeah. I mean, if you really hate your coworkers and don’t mind making their ears bleed.”
Drew laughs again. “I can see why you and PJ are friends. You’ve both got an interesting sense of humor. So what do you?—”
A hand lands on Drew’s shoulder, causing him to startle. A familiar hand. One that’s been wrapped around many parts of my body.
“Hey, Drew. Good to see you. How’s business?” Sebastian is holding a glass of champagne and smiling, but not in a happy way. More like the way a shark looks.
What’s he doing here? I open my mouth, but I’m not sure what to say. I can only stare up at Sebastian, slack-jawed and confused.
“Good to see you again, Simon. You know, Drew here is one of my favorite clients. His new startup idea is going to make millions.”
“Uh. Thanks. And how do you know Simon?” Drew seems flustered. Maybe he’s wondering if Sebastian knows me as an escort, which is a little awkward.
“We met through Tony.” The half-truth slides out of Sebastian’s mouth easily. “Actually, I need to speak to Simon about a business deal I’m working on, and I’ve had trouble pinning him down. You think I could borrow him for a few minutes? I’d owe you big-time.”
Drew sputters his agreement, and before I know what’s happening, I’m being dragged down the hall. I spot a familiar and unlikable face as we exit the ballroom, though.
Tony’s here.
“This way.” Sebastian hauls me into an empty coatroom before I can protest.
Then again, once I’m pressed against him in this small, dark space, surrounded by stacked chairs and a rack of discarded dinner jackets, I’m not sure I want to. Not even an entire day apart, and my body missed his. Maybe I even missed him.
Fuck. Fine. I did. I missed him so much it felt like I had a gaping, sucking wound in my chest. Dammit.
