Adrian Sterling's off

ll

aptop screen trying to write that stupid s

he snatched it up, expecting a message from her lan

much

7 PM. You're att

pped in h

THE.

up to Twenty minutes since she left his of

ping she was hallucinating

rt of her job description involved rubbing el

type a response, ano

Just be there. And

eye tw

k like someone who had desi

er c

as a second-hand handbag that was one

he just wished for the grounds to open and swallow he

ally the worst

erling, something inside her itched at th

at she

iou

-

THE GALA

tchy fabric of her rented gown. It was a deep red dress that

ls? A n

ay from breaking an ankle.

d inside, she felt co

stal glasses, and a sea of people who looked lik

swal

orld. And she? She

pect to se

nd Adrian standing beside her, a glass of whiskey in

The universe really was out to

clutch like it was a weapon. "Trust m

furiating smirk. "You clean up

"Don't act surprised. I k

gaze flickering over her. "Yet, y

led. "That

nful

va appeared, looking stunni

u're needed

t Benny. "Try not to set any

ack, he walked off, dis

she also needed to find a place t

-

DISA

y min

he lasted before

e the ballroom, only to trip over her own heels and

took her for a waitress and tried to hand

nd her standing near the buffet, aggressively stabbin

re you doing?"

Trying not to c

ed a brow.

y-slammed a waiter, some lady thought I was the help, a

kled. Actua

y fr

as he la

ting again or im

W

devil in a tux, actuall

t chuckle.

r eyes. "Are yo

returned.

her temples. "This nigh

when it a

cruel twist of fate, Benny'

flying-straight onto Ad

e room we

oul left

he stain. Then at her. Then at

p back. "Okay. S

is voice was

step. "Accident

down his dr

ed she had the ab

he met him, Adrian Sterling actually was l

ised by what was ha