Hard Sell (21 Wall Street #2)(69)

Getting the contract and the money had been both gut-wrenching and relieving. It’s the relief I’ve been clinging to. Relief that the sooner Matt and I end this thing, the sooner I can move on.

As for the check, I’d promptly given it to Ian as a donation for his charity for underprivileged high school students. They need it more than I do, and I didn’t think I’d be able to stomach the thought of keeping a single penny from my time with Matt.

Our time together was worth a hell of a lot more to me, even if it ended badly.

A middle-aged couple I don’t recognize stops to socialize with Jarod, and after he makes the introductions, I allow my mind to wander, studying Jarod as he talks, trying to figure him out.

He really is attractive, in a commanding-presence sort of way, and he wears a tux like he was born in one. He’s also considerate, smart, and has a subtle, dry sense of humor.

The whole billionaire thing doesn’t hurt, either.

And yet, no matter how hard I try, I can’t see myself with him. I can’t see myself with anyone except the one guy who’s either too scared to take a risk or too disinterested to even consider it.

Still, knowing that, I can’t help but scan the room for Matt. Even when we were at our most antagonistic, he’d always been a beacon for my attention, so though there are dozens of tuxedos in the room, I know almost immediately that he’s not one of them.

Which is odd. Attendance at this thing is pretty much mandatory for all Wolfe employees.

I’ve already seen Lara and Ian, though every time I get a free moment, they’re in conversation, or vice versa.

Jarod and I walked in with Kennedy and a tall, boring blonde whose name I’ve already forgotten.

And Kate’s not here yet, courtesy of a last-minute zipper emergency on the dress she’d planned to wear. She asked if I could set her up with a tailor who could fix the zipper and the resulting tear, but I’d done her one better: I’d hooked her up with my girl at Saks, with instructions to send the bill to Kennedy, mostly because it amused me to do so.

Distractedly, I scan the room again. Still no Matt.

Maybe he’s picking up his date.

My stomach lurches. Is he bringing a date? It didn’t occur to me to ask Ian, and I wish I would have. Though I don’t know that anything could prepare me for that. Just the thought of it makes me queasy.

Someone touches my arm, and I turn to see Lara, looking gorgeous in a long purple gown. She’s forgone her usual glasses for the evening, but her hair’s in a fancier version of her trademark ponytail, and the combination of elegant evening gown and sleek blonde ponytail is stunning.

“You look beautiful,” I say, giving her a quick hug, and then spinning my finger so she’ll show me the back of the dress. “Oh, well done,” I say approvingly, taking in the low cut that leaves her back almost entirely bare. “Poor Ian must be dying.”

“He’s suggested no fewer than ten times that we make it an early night, but I’ve told him we have to stay at least as long as it took me to find the dress and get ready tonight, so he’s stuck here for another hour or two.”

“Well, well, don’t you two clean up nice.”

Lara and I turn, letting out twin gasps when we see Kate.

She’s always pretty, but she seems somehow transformed tonight. Her usually straight, thick hair’s been pulled into an elegant chignon to show off her petite features, and the dress is just about the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.

The skirt’s full and wide, which emphasizes her tiny waist, but it’s really the bodice that steals the show. Tightly fitted to her tiny frame, the black satin alternating with black lace reveals glimpses of skin through the fabric. The effect is a combination of demure and seductive, and perfectly her.

“Thanks again for the assist,” Kate tells me. “Your girl worked wonders.”

“Let’s not give her too much credit,” I say. “She had an excellent muse to work with.”

Kate blows me a kiss in acknowledgment. “So are we having fun?”

“We will be once Ian gets done making the rounds talking shop,” Lara says, faking a small yawn. “I don’t know how you guys get used to these fancy things.”

“Truthfully, getting ready is the best part,” Kate says.

“No, taking off the strapless bra at the end of the night is the best part,” I correct.

“This backless dress didn’t allow one of those, but not to worry, I have Spanx to punish me. Ian doesn’t know what sweet, sexy surprise awaits.” She surreptitiously snaps the waistband of said Spanx for emphasis.

I smile into my champagne, absolutely confident that Ian’s not going to be the least bit deterred by Lara’s shape wear. The woman could put on a dress made of dead leaves, and he’d still be crazy for her.

“Speaking of, anyone want to keep me company while I go to the ladies’ room? The Spanx add five minutes to the peeing process, and I need someone to talk me through it over the stall wall.”

“I’m game,” Kate says, reaching out and taking my champagne, tossing it back. “It’s not like I have a date.”

“Yeah, why is that?” I ask. “Anybody looking like you shouldn’t be alone.”

Kate doesn’t reply, but her eyes flick across the room. I follow her gaze, which is locked on Kennedy and his mannequin.