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Chapter 29
Once inside the maglift, Sid checked himself in the mirror as he headed down to meet Jayna, then nervously chewed his lower lip. He knew he would enjoy attending the ball with her, but an event so public was fraught with risk and had the potential to make or break his acceptance into the Cerulean Order.
The lift arrived at the lobby, and as the doors slid open, Sid was met by the most beautiful vision he had ever seen. His heart raced at the sight of Jayna. Her bright red hair was magnificent, and the glittering emerald gown was like nothing he had ever seen before. He felt downright plain in comparison.
She laughed at his stunned expression.
“I think he approves,” Emmaline said. Sid had been so captivated by Jayna that he hadn’t even noticed his assistant.
“Do you approve?” Jayna asked.
Sid found his voice. “I do. You look stunning.”
“Okay, you two,” Emmaline said. “Time to go.”
Jayna gave Emmaline a hug, which she returned enthusiastically. Sid was happy to see their relationship had moved from strictly professional to more personal. It reassured him to see Emmaline’s acceptance of her.
Once Sid had helped Jayna into the limo, Emmaline said quietly, “Be good. Her hair took over an hour, so try not to mess it up before midnight.”
“I’ll try, but I can’t make any promises.”
Emmaline playfully slapped his shoulder and then returned to the hotel. Sid’s heart raced as he climbed into the seat next to Jayna. His excitement at spending the evening with this funny, beautiful woman was tempered by the interest she was sure to draw. He’d have to work extra hard to avoid drawing the wrong kind of attention.
It’s going to be okay, Sid thought, and he took Jayna’s hand in his. They rode in comfortable silence and admired the brilliant white architecture and lush tropical landscaping as their limousine wound its way through the streets. They turned the corner and climbed to the top of an arching bridge.
Jayna gasped as the Grand Manutai resort came into view. It was enormous and occupied an entire wamo that had only recently been connected to the west side of the island. In the distance, a spectacular sunset filled the dark cyan sky with brilliant pinks and golds.
“Have you ever been to anything like this before?” Sid asked.
“Only as a performer,” she said. “Never as a guest walking in on the red carpet.”
Sid felt a twinge of guilt since they wouldn’t be walking the red carpet this time either. He preferred to take one of the more discreet side entrances and bypass the circus out front. He knew how easy it was to appear undignified when facing the streamers and paparazzi.
Jayna gave his hand a squeeze. “Is everything okay? You seem nervous.”
He let out a breath. “I guess I am, a little bit. I really need to make a good impression tonight.”
Jayna straightened his tie. “Of course you’ll make a good impression. You look fantastic. You’re smart, funny, charming, and you have an amazingly beautiful date.”
Sid smiled as she leaned in to give him a quick kiss.
“Who are you worried about impressing? The Cerulean Order?” she asked.
His brow furrowed in concern. “What did my mother tell you?”
She seemed surprised at the concern in his voice. “Just that you want to be a member, and that’s why your reputation score is so important to you.”
He studied her, wondering just how much he should say. But it didn’t make sense to keep her in the dark. Not completely anyway.
“You know the meet the mermaid event you organized for the Service Day?”
Jayna’s brows pulled together in confusion at his sudden change in conversation. “Yes.”
“Why do you think it was so successful?”
She smiled. “That’s easy. It was the way you sang the mermaid song.” And then she laughed.
Sid couldn’t help but smile, even though the mermaid song was exactly the kind of spectacle he needed to avoid.
