The restaurant was beautiful, reflecting her image in glossy gold-tinted windows as she strode by. With a sudden gasp, she stripped off her bright pink cardigan in one swift movement, holding it out like waste. Glancing around her, she sidestepped to a planter and rolled the sweater into a ball, attempting to hide it near the back where it might not be seen and hoping it would still be there later. She really liked that cardigan.
Bits of glitter fell from her hair and she groaned, brushing at it lightly while a shower of sparkles rained down. The guests had been way too enthusiastic about the photos she took of them throwing glitter. She glanced over her body, realizing with a gasp that she was frosted in it. After a few minutes of hand-brushing, she hoped it was good enough.
Once inside the golden doors, there was gentle music and low, blush-colored lighting. Elayna paused, taking a deep breath and holding it for a moment before releasing it. She hoped that would do the trick, and the constant shivering that had developed in her knees would subside. Her nerves would do nothing to improve her balance on the pointy heels.
She hovered around the concierge desk and glanced around at tables, hoping to spot Kayson. Her stomach squirmed, and she clasped her hands together, refusing to let them shake.
“Madame?” A slender man not much taller than her bowed slightly. “May I help you find someone?”
“Uh, yes. I’m meeting with Kayson Blake?” She fell off her heel and side-stepped quickly, releasing a trail of glitter from the top of her head.
The man lifted an eyebrow but said nothing. He draped a cloth napkin across his arm as he led the way, gesturing her forward.
Elayna brushed her hands down her skirt, flicking off a few spots of glitter, but didn’t have time for anything else. The table was very near the entrance. In fact, with more horror than she wanted to show, Elayna realized it was directly behind the planter where she’d stashed her cardigan. She could see it clearly from where she stood. She swallowed, hoping they were turned too far in their seats to have noticed.
They stood at the sight of her, with Kayson smiling and offering his hand. She took it and turned to the other man, an older gentleman with a shiny head and wide smile.
“Hello, I’m Jeffery Conner.” He held her hand softly and smiled back at her like she was a puppy dog.
It gave her a slightly unsettled feeling. But the glory of finally being able to sit! She pulled her chair out with a wobbled step, relieved to be off her heels.
“Right on time,” Kayson said, winking at her with his voice all ease and friendliness.
“I’m so glad I was able to make it.” She released a breath. “Bridal showers can be pretty unpredictable sometimes.” As if on cue, a few flecks of glitter floated down and settled on her nose. She tried to nonchalantly blow it away with a puff of breath.
“I didn’t know you photographed weddings too,” Kayson said with obvious admiration.
“Yes, that’s very nice.” The man next to Kayson smiled politely.
“Yeah, I do, but only occasionally. It’s not my favorite use of a good lens.” Elayna snuck a glance at Mr. Conner, feeling annoyed but not sure why. “I’ve been working with my friend Sylvia as a side hobby. She owns the studio just off the boardwalk, and we display a lot of images of marine life and coastal landscapes. It’s very popular with tourists. The shots I took of Benjamin have actually been selling really well! Nearly fifty a day.”
Kayson’s eyes widened. “Wow, that sounds like you’re bringing in a pretty nice profit.”
“No, I’m not, actually,” Elayna glanced across the menu, feeling her stomach growl. “I donate everything we make to protecting marine habitat. So really, it’s just a passion project.”
She caught sight of a tempting pasta entrée with salmon and asparagus. When she looked up again, Kayson and Mr. Conner were exchanging a glance. She tried to decipher the look on Kayson’s face… He didn’t look happy but not really upset either.
“Kayson tells me you’ve got quite the invention,” Mr. Conner said, changing the subject suddenly.
“I do,” Elayna answered. “It’s a small-scale lens that can compete with the largest scale telescopes out there.” She’d gotten used to this description. It was the one people seemed to enjoy most—the least amount of words and an easily understood meaning.
“I see,” Mr. Conner turned back to Kayson. “Okay, I understand that you’re working. I’ll get back to the board meeting next week and give them an update and my personal opinion that you should remain on the board. All you really needed to do was to just call me up. I would’ve believed you. It’s nice to see the woman and know that she’s got a head on her shoulders, though.”
“Oh, well,” Kayson was stumbling through his words, rushing to interrupt. “It wasn’t just about all that. I thought if you two could meet, it would help the board meeting to go more smoothly.”
“Of course,” Mr. Conner said in his puppy dog voice again. “Have a wonderful evening.”
He stood and left them there at the table, passing the waiter on his way out. “One less guest?” The waiter asked, glancing back at Mr. Conner.
“Yes, thank you,” Kason said, turning his gaze down to the menu. “I’ll have the shrimp and potato chowder.”
Elayna ordered as well, feeling lost in the last few minutes. Kayson was going to be removed from the board of his own company? Was that what Mr. Conner had said? And why would meeting with Elayna change that?
She wanted to ask, but it suddenly felt so uncomfortable between them, and any question she formed in her mind felt intensely personal. So, instead of asking, she reverted back to what she usually did in uncomfortable situations. They talked about the weather, and he asked about Sasha. Nothing deeper.
When they were finished, he offered to walk her out, and by then, she felt acutely uncomfortable, like there was a thorn in her heel, but instead of pulling it out, they’d simply covered it with a shoe. A shiny one that looked nice.
“I apologize for his rudeness, Elayna,” Kayson said.
His hand settled on her back, and she felt a thrill of energy, suddenly wishing she could step in a little closer and maybe lean against him. It would feel so good to have someone to help her shoulder life for a moment, like Alise had.
“I wanted to tell you how much I admire you.” He tilted his head, studying her with those brilliant eyes. “You’re so…refreshing.”
In the low light, the lines of his face were smooth and incredibly soft. Elayna couldn’t help but admire the angle of his jaw and set of his lips.
She noticed him, noticing her stare. “I’m glad I could be here,” she said, feeling nervous and stiff and glancing at the clock again. But when she looked back, there was a significant change in his manner. He shifted his weight, appearing uncomfortable.
“I need to meet with a couple of other associates for a business meeting tonight and was wondering if you’d be able to stop in and check on Titan and Shade for me? I realize our original agreement didn’t include weekends, but I don’t know if I’ll be home before morning.”
Elayna replayed his words in her mind. “You’ll be out all night?” she asked, confused. Who held business meetings in the middle of the night?