“I know you’re slammed with work,” Miller said. “This means a lot to Hattie. And to me.” He grinned. “But especially to Hattie.”
“You are so whipped, man.” I knew Miller well and had witnessed his transformation from Mr. No Commitment to Mr. Besotted and Obnoxiously in Love. The weekend party was all Hattie’s idea, overstuffed with to-do items meant to celebrate their impending marriage and give the couple’s closest loved ones time to bond. And had they left Olivia at home, I would’ve happily superglued myself to everyone in attendance.
After Miller and I returned to the hotel, I’d barely had time to shower before Hattie texted an agenda and requested my presence in the lobby for our next activity.
Miller tossed back the last drops from his water bottle. “You know, if you need a date for the movie premiere, I’m available. Though I will require a limo and a rose corsage.”
Man, I’d missed this guy. Years ago in California, Miller had recruited me for his think tank. I’d gained a trusted advisor and a best friend who’d become family. “I’m not that hard up,” I said, “but thanks.”
The premiere ofMars Warswould give the press and entertainment executives an opportunity to scrutinize me even more. The thought made me uneasy every time it crossed my mind. Since Star Gazer Corp. had gone public, my name and face frequently accompanied headlines on financial networks. Investment buzz said our stock could quickly turn into the hottest buy since Amazon. But my CFO warned it was time for my frat boy reputation to die once and for all. Between movie studios and investors, I’d never felt more scrutiny and never had more riding on my image.
That’s why I needed someone as good as Olivia to fix my brand.
“I read inFast Companyyou’re the headliner at this year’s TechieCon.” Miller glanced at his phone, then slipped it back into his pocket. “The article said you’d be making an announcement that would turn the gaming industry on its ear.”
“Great quote, huh?”
“Brilliant.” Miller nodded his approval. “Really building the suspense.”
“Might’ve had one of my designers send a tip to the reporter that a new technology was coming.” My board members, including Miller, knew exactly what my team had been working on for the last two years. It had finally passed testing to my standards and would soon go to production.
“I’m pleased with the development.” Miller was chairman of the board and had been with me every step of the way of this new technology. “It’s going to launch Star Gazer Corp. into the stratosphere.”
“But?”
He rested a hand on my shoulder. “But as your friend, I’m concerned.”
“Don’t be.” I wouldn’t have to hire a speech writer for the product reveal at TechieCon. I’d be penning that myself. “The announcement is going to be epic.” I’d been counting the days, and when I broke the news, everything had to be perfect. I wanted to appear polished, sound professional, and look a certain someone in the eye when I delivered the news.
I’d waited years for this moment.Years.
“Party bus is here!” Hattie ran to us and linked her arm through Miller’s as our group assembled. “Just to review the itinerary I sent you and the five reminders that followed, we’ll do a restaurant walking tour, hitting some of Vegas’s top eateries, then it’s a citywide scavenger hunt!”
Her excitement was adorable, and had I not been drowning in work, I probably would’ve been just as enthused. Food? Loved it. A game? Obviously my thing. Once upon a time I would’ve partied it up and shown this group what fun looked like. But now I tried to recall the last time I’d had a weekend off.
“Let’s go!” Hattie called.
As our group shuffled toward the doors, I walked beside Olivia’s grandmother. The woman had been watching me all day, and I’d heard enough about her to know she was one to watch. I made short work of introducing myself.
“Well, hello, big fella. Aren’t you adorable?” She extended her hand with a sly smile. “I’m Sylvie, grandmother of the Sutton girls. The woman reeking of maturity and sexiness to my right is my best friend, Frannie.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” I took Frannie’s proffered hand.
“Aren’t you just a slice of sweet potato pie with a scoop of ice cream on top?” Frannie touched her lengthy nails to her black hair. “I’m newly unsingle, but if anything changes, I’ll let you know.”
I grinned, liking these two already. “Are you ready for a little friendly competition?”
“Ready?” Sylvie zipped up her fanny pack that matched Frannie’s. “Honey, we’re gonna mop the floor with you.”
“Second place is for losers.” Frannie touched up her lipstick with a heavy hand. “We have connections in the Vegas underbelly, and we will use them if we must.”
Sylvie unwrapped a piece of gum and popped it in her mouth. “I hear you and Olivia know each other from college.”
“That’s correct.”
She chewed on that for a bit. “So you have a past. A history. Two sordid paths that crossed in your youth and have intersected once again in your prime.”
“Very prime.” Frannie eyed my left bicep. “Grade A.”
