Page 118 of Override

Taibhse:

Your husband spent a concerning amount of money on this dress.

I stare at the message. Then read it again. A laugh escapes before I can stop it. A second message appears.

Taibhse:

For the record, it appears to have been a worthwhile investment.

That's somehow the closest thing to a compliment Taibhse has ever given me.

My cheeks go warm all over again.

"Oh my God." The words slip out beneath my breath. I glance around instinctively. Like someone might have heard. Like someone might somehow know.

My fingers move before I can stop them.

Me:

Thank you.

Taibhse:

You're welcome.

Three dots appear. Disappear.

Taibhse:

Question.

My smile grows.

Me:

That's never a good sign.

Taibhse:

Why do you look sad?

The warmth immediately falters. My gaze lifts from the phone. Scanning the ballroom. Searching.

I don't know what I'm looking for. A camera. A clue. Something. Anything.

The room remains exactly the same. Crowded. Loud. Beautiful.

Then movement catches my eye. A security camera mounted above one of the side hallways shifts.

Barely. The lens tilting downward. Then upward again.

Once. Like a nod.

A laugh escapes me. Small. Disbelieving.

The smile that follows comes easier.

Me: