Page 21 of Curse of the Wolf
“My parents let me know about an exclusive gathering at the private residence of a real estate mogul in Bellevue this Friday. There will be a lot of well-to-do industry people there, talking about new developments being planned for the area. Even though the market has slowed down, those in the top echelon tend to do well in any environment. I’m sure some of them will have positions in need of filling.” Bolin extended his hand toward Jasmine. “I could get you on the guest list if you would be interested in going.” After only a slight pause, he remembered me and waved in my direction. “Both of you.”
I wondered when in his plans came the part where he would ask Jasmine on a date.
“That does sound like the kind of event my mom would like me to go to.” The face Jasmine made suggested she felt the same about networking as I did.
“It’s in a penthouse with a big balcony and a view of the lake,” Bolin said. “I understand you can see all the way to the Olympic Mountains. There’ll be a private chef handling the refreshments and a bartender too.”
“Are people more likely to hire you after their stomachs are full and they’re tipsy?” I asked.
“If they’re in a jovial mood, I would think so.” Bolin nodded.
Jasmine bit her lip.
Bolin leaned forward, watching her face. Hoping she would go to the party, get a job, and thus be grateful to him? Or was it more than that?
“Are yougoing to the event, Bolin?” I asked on a hunch. Maybe thiswasthe date he had in mind.
“Most likely, yes. My parents are going, and they want me to meet some of their colleagues. I’ve met a lot of them already, of course, but less in a work-colleague capacity and more as…”
“Your parents’ goofy kid?” I guessed.
Bolin grimaced. “One of their colleagues hasn’t seen me since she stepped on my LEGOs at a summer barbecue my parents hosted several years back. Anyway, there’s no pressure. You don’t have to come.” He’d turned back to Jasmine. “It’s just that I heard you were looking for a job in the industry, and this could be a good opportunity to meet people who might be hiring. For both of you.” Only slightly belatedly, he waved toward me again.
“Am I invited too?” Duncan asked dryly.
Bolin blinked at him. “You’re… naked.”
“I guess I’m not invited,” Duncan told me.
“Nudity isn’t considered highbrow in America,” I said.
“Repressed,” he said again.
Jasmine looked toward Duncan’s window, but, as I’d expected, didn’t bat an eye at his nudity. She could probably tell I wasn’t wearing anything under the jacket either.
“You said it’s Friday night?” Jasmine asked Bolin.
“Yes. Do you want me to pick you both up?” He pointed to include me.
“I’ll pass on networking events until I know for sure if I’m out of a job.” I figured Bolin would appreciate it if I gave him an excuse to take Jasmine without a chaperone.
But he looked at me without relief. In fact, his eyes were oddly intent. “You might want to reconsider, Luna.”
“A night of making small-talk with rich real estate developers?” I wrinkled my nose. “I’d rather spend the next week hugging my heating pad, eating chocolates, and remembering how to breathe without pain.” I touched my tenderribs, doubting I would have the opportunity to live that fantasy. My arm twinged. I needed to end this chat and find my first-aid kit—if not a number for a doctor.
“Ivan MacGregor is hosting the event.”
I tried to remember the name and why it would be significant.
“The guy the newspaper mentioned,” Bolin added.
“Oh, because he was robbed of a wolf bracelet?”
He nodded.
Ihaddebated on trying to find a way to question that man. I scratched my jaw and looked back at Duncan. He hadn’t been there when I’d read that article, and he merely raised his eyebrows.
It wasn’t as if I had any better leads. The thug who might have known where my sword was had gotten away, Radomir and Abrams moved hideouts more often than gophers avoiding red-tailed hawks, and I would need a few days of sedate activities while my battered body healed.
