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As soon as Natalia’s voice was amplified over unseen speakers, several hundred people stopped talking at once.
“On behalf of the board of United in PRIDE, I want to welcome you all to our annual Prism Gala.” When Natalia spoke, her voice booming, even the tiny hairs on the back of Lola’s neck stood at attention.
“This year we are directing our fundraising efforts to provide access to gender-affirming healthcare for our trans siblings. Far too often, critical medical care is kept out of reach due to its astronomical costs and lack of insurance coverage. It is unacceptable that finances determine whether someone can fully realize their gender identity.”
Natalia paused and the room full of people with too much money clapped as much for her as for themselves. As if getting dressed up to drink top-shelf booze and eat a few shrimp puffs was akin to fighting on the front lines. Lola softened. They could’ve chosen to throw their money at a thousand different things. At least they were doing something useful with it.
“With your support tonight, we will establish the PRISM Trans Health Fund to cover gender-affirming surgeries, hormone therapy, and other transition-related care for those unable to afford it themselves. We will be giving the gift of living authentically. Your contributions will, quite literally, be life-changing and life-saving.” She paused, flashing the closest thing to a wry smile Lola had ever seen her wear. “So be generous…” she turned her head toward a group of older women standing together. “I know how much you just spent on your Aspen chalet, Christine.”
It was only when the crowd laughed that Lola realized Natalia had made a joke. Another thing she’d never seen her do before.
Strangely exhilarated, Lola smiled. Seeing her somewhat loose made Lola feel like she’d been given access to a new level. Made it beyond another velvet rope. She clapped as hard as she could for Natalia while holding the empty champagne flute.
“You should have brought her,” Adriana said when they moved up the line again.
“Who?”
“Hot Lawyer.”
Lola resisted the urge to grab Adriana by the front of her strapless dress and ask her what the hell she’d heard, but shifted her weight instead.
“I don’t know who you’re talking about,” she lied.
Adriana’s chuckle said her lie hadn’t been convincing. “Sometimes the only way to ease all that tension is to set a match to it. Might be interesting to see what’s under all that simmering conflict. You know the line between—”
“I don’t know what the hell you're talking about,” she snapped too hard, too loudly. In an instant, she knew she’d given herself away. Damn it.
The blue in Adriana’s eyes all but caught fire. “Holy shit. You’ve already slept with her, haven’t you?”
Lola’s eyes widened, her pulse throbbing in her neck too hard; it was probably making her veins bulge. “Shut up,” she half whispered, half hissed. “Not everyone is having inappropriate sex.”
Adriana didn’t even flinch at the accusation. “There’s more to life than just Dominion, Lola. You get that, right? Somewhere inside that little terrifying head of yours, you—”
“That’s easy for you to say,” she interrupted, uninterested in Adriana’s skewed perspective. She couldn’t see things from her point of view. Could never understand. Adriana had already established herself. Already earned Natalia’s confidence and trust.
Lola was still on the bubble. Just a breath away from the bullpen. Natalia wouldn’t hesitate to dump her back into the assistant pool. To replace her with Martina.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Adriana asked when they finally reached the front of the line.
“It means I have my shit under control,” Lola said before ordering a vodka tonic from the bartender.
“Lola, if you let me help—”
“I don’t need your help,” she said without gritting her teeth. “Don’t worry, Adriana. I haven’t lost focus on Roxy.” She took her drink and started to bolt, but Adriana blocked her path, eyes painted in confusion.
“What does Roxy have to do—”
“You don’t have to pretend to care about me just because I’m managing her. You don’t have to worry that I don’t have my head in the game. I’m not going to lose my place at Dominion and bring her down with me. Your precious girlfriend is safe.”
Adriana furrowed her brow. “How the hell did you get there from what I said? I’m trying to tell you that you don’t have to do this shit alone—”
“Sure,” she replied, before side-stepping her and walking into a group of strangers.
Adriana must have thought she was stupid just because she was a little younger than her. A little less experienced as an agent. But Lola had experience where it counted. She’d learned a long time ago that people only looked out for themselves. That they were always looking for a way to get what they wanted, no matter the cost.
Losing herself further in the crowd, Lola decided that she was in the wrong place. She’d make a donation. Walk by Natalia so she could see that she’d come, and then go back to the office. Kiki was taking too long. She was going to throw more nets in the water. She was going to keep proving to Natalia that she was the right choice.
CHAPTER23
