One Night to Forever novel · Chapter 6 of 24

Chapter 6: Luncheon

By Wednesday, the tabloid had done its work.

My biggest client, a picture-book publisher, sent me one polite email that said they were "pausing our relationship."

Hazel read it over my shoulder in the kitchen and said a word that would have cost her a nursing license.

"They paused you for a photo," she said.

"I'm a woman who got dragged out of a lobby."

"You're a woman who got dragged out of a lobby by a billionaire's security because your best friend lied about you."

She slapped a cream envelope on the counter.

"Also, this came by courier at eight."

It was a heavy invitation with a gold crest.

"The Ryerson Foundation Autumn Luncheon," I read. "Wednesday, one o'clock. Ms. Cassidy Rowe and Ms. Bianca Thorsby."

"Margaret's idea," Hazel said. "It has her fingerprints all over it."

"She's testing us."

"So go and pass."

I went in my navy wrap dress and a lipstick Hazel chose, and I felt like a lamb walking into a gift shop.

The luncheon was in the Ryerson Chicago Grand ballroom, the very ballroom where the lights had gone out.

Round tables, white roses, forty women in silk and pearls, and a pianist in the corner playing something soft.

Bianca was already at the center table, a glass of rose in her hand and a ring of women around her.

She saw me and put on her bravest face.

"Oh, there she is," she said, loud enough for four tables. "Everyone, this is Cassidy."

Forty heads turned.

"She's the one from the paper," Bianca said, and gave a small, pained laugh. "My oldest friend, poor thing."

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