Page 82 of Nothing But the Truth

She laughed. “I still can’t believe you did that. But thank you. I know it was a big risk.”

He causally shrugged and ordered a glass of wine. “Sometimes the right thing is risky.”

Lucy tipped her glass to him in total agreement. “What about Shawn Stevens?”

The bartender returned with his order. Chase lifted his glass, holding the red wine in his palm, and smiled at her. “Still got Shawn. And it looks like you’ve still got Lily, unless some other movie star just walked in.” He nodded over her shoulder, and Lucy whipped around.

Lily’s outfit more resembled what she wore to lunch than her apocalypse warrior costume. Lucy wouldn’t have protested if she came in with swords strapped to her back, though building security may have had an opinion, but her burgundy draped dress instead made her look like a Grecian goddess. Lucy wilted for the slightest second over the fact she’d invited such a beautiful person to her party, but then she remembered the thought was a waste of energy and was happy she was there at all.

“Cheers,” Chase said, and clinked his glass against hers. He left to join the others at the table as Lily approached.

Other rooftop patrons pretended not to look, since acknowledging the presence of a celebrity in the wild was unbecoming of a local. That was something only tourists and people from San Diego did. Los Angelenos were forbidden to break the facade that they too were part of the glamour. Lily wasn’t alone but with another young woman. The pair of them surely got carded in the building lobby and wouldn’t have been on the rooftop if they hadn’t passed.

“Lucy!” Lily greeted, cheerful and bright. She paid no attention to the fact that half the people on the roof were staring at her. “This is my sister, Jessie. I hope it’s okay I brought her.”

Same as the comment about filming not starting without her, Lucy bit her tongue so as not to tell Lily Chu she didn’t need permission to do anything, including invite plus ones to birthday parties.

“Hi, Jessie. Nice to meet you.”

Her handshake was soft and gentle, and Lucy sensed a quiet curiosity in her. Where her sister emanated charisma, Jessie seemed one to hang back and observe. She looked a little struck by the rooftop setting.

Oliver swanned back over, bubbling champagne flute in each hand. Lucy was almost certain he visited the bar and intended the drinks for the two of them, but smooth as if on purpose, he handed them off to Lily and her sister.

“Welcome, Lily. You are in fabulous hands with Lucy. Please do enjoy yourself tonight,” he said with the air of a benevolent host.

“Thanks!” Lily chirped, glass in hand, and guided her sister toward the table.

Oliver turned to Lucy, eyes wide. “Did I just serve alcohol to a minor?”

“No.”

“?Whew!” he said with a playful sweep of his brow. So, it appears that you and Chase made some kind of peace treaty after his little sportsball stunt? I assume that’s why he’s here.”

Lucy sipped the last of her wine, wishing it were bubbles. “Yes, turns out he’s not so bad after all.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Either your ability to lie is back online or you are having some kind of psychotic break after all. I thought we were Team I Hate Chase McMillan?”

Lucy shrugged. “People can change.”

He snorted, though she knew his loyalty would shift in whichever direction she pointed it. “Okay then. Just send me a memo next time so I’m not shocked when the sworn enemy shows up at your birthday party. Speaking of work, Boss Lady coming at you.”

Her jolly, buoyant heart suddenly seized. Joanna had actually shown up, and she surely had news from the board meeting, which meant Lucy was poised to learn the fate of her promotion and what happened to Jonathan right then and there at her birthday party.

“Did you invite her?” Oliver asked.

“Yes. And now that she’s here, I’m second-guessing.”

“It’s a little late for that. Order another drink; you’ll be fine.” He nudged her elbow and floated off toward the table.

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