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4
EMILIA
Igave myself one last glance in the full-length mirror and nodded at my reflection. This evening’s event was the most important on our calendar all year. Jase and I were hosting a ball at The Plaza Hotel to benefit the charitable arm of our empire. The Quinnett Foundation and the foster kids it helped were more important to us than anyone could possibly imagine, and we worked hard behind the scenes to raise as much money as we could.
My hair and makeup artist had just left, and it was time to make a move. Even after all these years, I didn’t enjoy being around hundreds of people as I would be tonight, but the foster kids were worth any discomfort I felt.
Leaving my room, I found Jase waiting for me in the living room. His gaze swept slowly up and down my body, and I twirled around. “What do you think?” I knew the long, red, strapless silk dress looked stunning. It had been created especially for me by a young up-and-coming designer with whom I’d worked on the design. Flaring out at the waist, it had intricate beading on the bodice and most importantly, it had pockets.
“You take my breath away.”
I smiled at my best friend and business partner. He always knew exactly the right thing to say. I curtseyed and grinned. “Why, thank you, kind sir. You’re looking rather pleasing to the eye yourself.”
That was no lie. His tuxedo fit him like a glove, his bow tie perfectly straight. Jase was so handsome.
He tugged at the bow tie. “Looks okay?”
“Let’s just say I wouldn’t be surprised if every woman in the room dropped her panties when she got a look at you.” Anyone else making a risqué comment like that would’ve had him cringing, but I knew I could tease him.
He gave me a lewd grin. “Oh, yeah? Even you?”
Oh, he’d opened the door and I was going to stomp right through it. I went over to him, his hands coming up to rest on my hips, and curled one arm around his neck. Moving my mouth so it was near his ear, I whispered, “Who said I’m wearing any?”
I felt him stiffen a little as his arms slid around my waist. “Tease.”
The gruffness to his voice and the feel of his warm breath on my bare shoulder made me shiver, just a little. “You love me.”
“You know I do.”
I pulled back just far enough to look at him, and we gazed at each other. A flash of something in his eyes had me intrigued, but it was gone before I could work it out.
“Kiss for good luck?” His voice sounded a little more gruff than normal.
I pressed my lips, which were coated in red lipstick, against his for a few moments. “Let’s go raise some money for the kids.”
Jase gave me a warm smile. “I’m ready to charm the New York elite out of as much money as possible.”
Our sleek black limousine was waiting for us downstairs, and we were at The Plaza before we knew it. We’d rented the Grand Ballroom, as it seated five hundred guests for a banquet. Marian had overseen most of the preparations, but Jase and I had picked everything ourselves, from the decorations to the menu. The hotel was always willing to accommodate any special requests, given we paid a pretty penny to book it.
The evening wasn’t slated to begin for an hour, but we always arrived early to ensure everything was ready to go. As we entered the ballroom, my eyes widened in amazement.
It looked fantastic. Each table of ten had a floral centerpiece with long, tapered candles stemming from them. The china was gilded in gold, and the cutlery was also similarly colored. A pair of glasses sat in front of each setting; one for water, one for wine. Hard liquor could be obtained at the two open bars on either side of the room.
Cards with the name of each guest written in calligraphy were in place, and two large easels with the seating chart sat on either side of the ballroom entrance. The food was a three-course meal, with each guest able to select from a choice of three dishes.
After walking the large room and giving everything a nod of approval, we sat at the table designated for us and accepted the glass of champagne an immaculately dressed waiter appeared with, along with a plate of hors d’oeuvres for us. I grinned at the small bowl of truffled macaroni and cheese the chef had placed on it especially for me, because I’d mentioned earlier in the week when I’d spoken with her personally how much I was looking forward to trying it.
“Mmm, this is delicious.” I ate a few large bites before filling the spoon once more and holding it out to Jase.
He ate the mouthful I offered and groaned. “Damn, that is good. Remind me to get more of that later.”
We devoured the plate of food in short order and drained our glasses. As soon as we were done, the waiter reappeared to take our dishes away.
At the designated hour, Jase stood and held out his hand to me. I took it, rising from my seat and entwining my fingers with his. When we got to the entrance of the ballroom, we stood in front of it and nodded to the two waiters who were on either side of the doors.
Jase and I always greeted our guests personally and as the doors opened, and we found them awaiting us, he squeezed my hand.
Once our guests had entered the ballroom, we spent the first hour circling the room, mingling and charming them, extracting promises of generous donations and graciously accepting praise for the work we did for foster children around the country.
