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235 Gala Night (Winona)
As Jayden and | descend the grand staircase, arm in arm, | can't help but admire the sparkling crystals hanging
from the celling, casting shimmering reflections across the room.
The place is studded with high-profile people, all dressed in their finest, as waiters expertly weave through the
crowd offering canapés and champagne.
The buzz of conversation fills the air, and | know there is more to calong with the red carpet entry.
"Looks perfect, doesn't it?" Jayden murmurs in my ear, his arm tightening around me.
"Yeah," | say, letting my eyes sweep over the glittering scene below us. "Almost too perfect."
He chuckles softly. "You're still looking for Judy, aren't you?"
I laugh, but there's no real humor in it. "You knowtoo well."
We make it to the bottom of the staircase, and | scan the room again. No sign of her. Maybe she won't cafter
all.
A part offeels relieved, but another part-an admittedly smaller, more cynical part-knows better.
Judy wouldn't miss being in the sroom as Jayden. Not for the world.
"Hey, about time!" A familiar voice cuts through the chatter, and | turn to see Lisa, making her way toward us in
a stunning emerald gown. She's alone.
"Lisa, you look amazing!" | say, smiling as she givesa quick hug. "Where's Lance? And Phillip? | thought
they'd be fighting over you."
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Lisa rolls her eyes tically. "Oh, they both have dates. So, | decided to fly solo. Not that | care about. those
Latino beauties." She raises her champagne glass. "Nothing this can't fix." She has a drink. | look around,
searching for the guys. "Wait, who are they with?"
Lisa leans in, lowering her voice as if she's about to drop a bombshell. "Lance is with Eva, and Phillip's
with Ana."
I blink, surprised. "Wait-what?"
She nods, grinning. "Yeah, they've both been busy cozying up to Greg's daughters apparently. Didn't Phillip tell
you?"
"No," | say, a little stunned. Phillip's been working with Judy most of the month. He never mentioned it. Of
course, nothing Lance does surprises me. "It's not like Phillip has to report towho he dates." Lisa smirks.
"True. Look over there."
She gestures with her champagne glass, and | follow her gaze. Sure enough, Lance is standing next to Eva, his
arm casually draped around her waist, both of them deep in conversation with someone from the board. And
Phillip? He's with Ana, their heads bent together, talking.
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235 Gala Night
They look good. | mean, I'd be happy for Phillip if he found happiness. It just seems strange he never mentioned
anything about dating Ana.
"Let's go say hello." Lisa giggles.
"Are you drunk already?"
"Maybe. Con." She grabs my arm and tugs.
| look at Jayden.
"Go ahead. Mingle. | need to go sort my speech tout. Meet you back here in fifteen minutes."
Lisa and | walk up and say hello.
"Winona, you look amazing. You know Ana already, don't you?"
I nod and smile. "Great to see you here Ana."
"Thanks. It's certainly very amazing in here."
Then Lance and Eva join in. | say hello to Eva and she givesa quick hug.
The Brennan blue eyes stand out against their warm, bronzed skin, and there's no mistaking the family
connection with Jayden and Gus. They're stunning, both of them. "How are you finding the city?"
"It's very good. Different from our city but good different." Ana says. "I am a little homesick though. | must,
admit. How have you and Jayden been, Winona?"
Before | can respond, my attention is caught by movement at the top of the staircase. Judy, arriving fashionably
late, of course. She's alone. She looks every bit a queen in a sleek black gown.
| move aside from the others and whisper, "where's Gus?" to Lisa.
She stares atwith questioning eyes.
"Ah, I'm going to mingle a little more, you four enjoy the evening." | say to them.
Lisa and | move off on our own and | get another champagne and a caviar canape. "Wow. | mean, Judy on her
own. What's up with that?"
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"Maybe Gus is back in Europe. | mean Jayden isn't exactly communicating with him."
Lisa crabs a canape and puts it in her mouth and then her eyes open wide while she chews fast and swallows it
all at once. "Found him." She rasps and points madly across the room,
| look over in the distance and spot Gus. He moves aside a little and | see a woman beside him. I've never seen
her before but from her shape and her dark flowing hair | know that has to be the mother. "Oh. My. Fucking.
God!" | say.
"I know right? Gus is dating Greg's ex. Judy must be livid."
| have to smile. It's way more fun being the gossiper than being gossiped about.
235 Gala Night
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"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Jayden is besideagain now. "Gus is with Maria."
"We just said that. Your mother is here alone. Just so you know."
"Ah, well, I'm sure | can avoid her. We'll all be seated soon."
I'm about to say something when the atmosphere in the room shifts.
The energy changes, people's heads turning toward the staircase.
The loudness of conversation fades into a buzz as all eyes are drawn to the couple descending the steps.
Wow.
236 Hot in Here
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