ire

nd champagne flutes. Evander stood beside me, his hand possessive on the

e mask. I smiled, I nodded, I accepted birthday wishes with a quiet

uced as Evander's "indispensable executive secretary." She hovered near us, her hand occasional

er texting: After tonight, everyone wi

"My hands are cold," I murmured, pulling away to wrap th

ander tapped a glass for attention, his

ul wife," he announced, gesturing toward

m once, years ago, that the sound reminded me of a swarm

He spoke of how we met, of my brilliance, of the accident.

love of my

in a movie. I tilted my head just enough tha

e in perfect formation, their lights bli

nd resting proprietarily on his forearm, he

ed by the drones wa

went through the crowd

AT

andalized whispers. I didn't need to see th

ed into the logo of a Rober

hievement," he announced, his voice smooth as silk. "Katia Lynch has just secured the largest contract i

etary's victory party. He hadn't just f

's hand, raised it in a toast, and said, "To success!" Then h

alone, the punchli

mous whisper only I could hear. "Happy birthday. And t

took off my sunglasses. My vision was perfectly clear. I raised my phone and took a phot

off. They neve

I was going to make sure t