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I reluctantly release her to greet him. “Hello, David. Thank you for your support.”
“Of course, of course.” He claps my shoulder.
“You make a dashing King of Hearts,” Zarina compliments him, offering her own hand.
“Thank you, dear. I must dance with my Queen of Hearts sometime this evening.” He kisses her knuckles, and his wife laughs.
Zarina’s lips twitch downward, but she twists it into a smile quickly. “I would be honored.”
His wife presses a hand to his lapel with a fond smile. “I can’t believe you got him to dress in something other than a black tux, Zarina. Impressive!”
She grins devilishly. “I can cajole when necessary.”
“Andrea, how’s business?” David cuts across his wife, who was about to speak and whom he has yet to introduce by name.
“Last week was difficult, but it’s turning around.” I sip my champagne and slip my arm around Zarina’s waist again.
“Good, good.” He waves his hand like he’s waving away the niceties. “I’d like to meet with you soon, discuss some property you’ve recently acquired in Gachico.”
“Excuse me, what property?” I hide my annoyance behind a mask of confusion. There should be no way David Capone knows about that deal. The shell company isn’t under my name, and I haven’t set foot in the area since last year.
“The one?—”
“David, darling, stop the shop talk.” His wife takes his elbow and tugs him away from Zarina and me, glancing back at the small crowd forming behind them. “We’re here to celebrate, not conduct business.”
“Excuse me, dear.” He clears his throat and pats her hand. “Later, Andrea.”
“Of course.” I tilt my chin as they teeter away, playing the gracious host. In reality, all I want to do is rip off this costume and horde a plate of hors d’oeuvres to myself.
“Don’t look like such a bored toddler,” Zarina chastises under her breath.
“Make me,” I snap. Ugh, I sound like her.
“Chin up, Tamayo.” The next person in line winks, and a huge grin spreads across my face as warmth floods my chest.
“Rita.” I breathe her name, and with it, tension releases from my muscles. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
“I couldn’t miss this.” She wraps both arms around me, and I return the embrace, despite Zarina’s grip on my elbow. “Introduce me to your fiancée, you heathen.”
I laugh, pulling back with my hand still on her shoulder. Rita’s wearing a stunning light-blue gown with pearls embroidered into the seams. The colors are soft against her dark-brown skin, her twists tied back from her face with a bowperfectly placed in her hair. I’ve never seen her so done up, shining so brightly. She absolutely glows.
“Zarina, may I introduce you to the woman who changed my life”—Rita smacks my chest with a scoff—“and continues changing others’s lives—Rita Pollard, Alphabet House’s director and tonight’s guest of honor.”
Zarina reaches to shake her hand, but Rita ignores it in favor of a hug. “Oh.” The word is squeezed out of her as she pats Rita’s back. “Thank you so much for coming.”
Rita offers Zarina one of her warmest smiles. “It’s so lovely to meet you.”
“And you. The dress is gorgeous on you—thank you so much for letting me style you.”
I shoot Zarina a surprised frown.
She keeps her smile demure, but her eyes narrow in offense. “I’m not a monster. I’d never throw her to the wolves, even if she refused my help.”
“Both of you can’t keep your nose in your own business.” Rita fidgets in her dress, like she’s unsure where to place her hands when she’s wearing something so fancy.
“I consider that a compliment,” I tease.
She clucks her tongue. “Thank you for inviting me.”