Page 73 of Set In Stone

I snorted out a laugh, knowing full well that he’d have as much luck with gagging Allyson as I did withKrystina.

When we reached the top floor of the hotel, the elevator doors opened up to an opulent and sophisticated lobby. Security guards flanked the glass doors that were straight ahead. Behind the doors, a sea of bodies and neon lights could be seen. The concierge for the club waited at a podium to take ournames.

“Alexander Stone, party of four,” I toldhim.

He looked down at his list for a moment and then back up atme.

“Yes, Mr. Stone. Your VIP host has your table all set up. His name is Lance. He will assist you with your bottle service and anything else you need this evening,” he told me. I heard Allyson give an audiblegasp.

“Definitely not Murphy’s Pub,” she whispered toKrystina.

“No, it’s not,” Krystina agreed. She was trying to play it cool, but I could sense the excitement in her voicetoo.

I smirked in amusement before directing my attention back to theconcierge.

“Thank you,” I toldhim.

He gave a polite nod before turning to one of theguards.

“Please escort Mr. Stone and his guests to the Encore Bar area and let Lance know that his party hasarrived.”

We followed the guard through the mass of people and stopped at a dimly lit corner booth draped in blue velvet. Once we were seated, Lance came by to get our drink requests. I ordered a bottle of Glenfiddich single malt Scotch for Matteo and myself, and Dom Pérignon for the ladies. After our glasses were filled, I raised a glass in atoast.

“To Matteo and the success of Krystina’sPlace.”

“Ah, cut that out. Without your investment, there wouldn’t even be a restaurant. I should be toasting to you,” Matteo said, but still raised hisglass.

“Maybe, but it was your food that soldit.”

“Cheers to Matteo’s cooking!” both Allyson and Krystina said inunison.

Our glasses clinked and I sat back. It felt good to be out with Krystina. With friends. It seemed like it had been ages since I did anything like this. After joining Club O a couple of years back, I tended to gravitate there rather than fall prey to Stephen, Bryan, and Matteo’s pleas to join them on their late-night club crawls. I had nearly forgotten how much I enjoyed this sort of setting. Yet, it felt foreign at the sametime.

“I’d like to make another toast,” Krystina began. “Not to sound like I’m patting myself on the back, but it was a pretty spectacular day for me at TurningStone.”

“Why? What happened?” Allysoninquired.

“Well, I landed an advertising contract with Sheldon Tremaine, the owner of BeaumontJewelers.”

“Holy crap, Krys! They’rehuge!”

“Hey, isn’t that your guy Alex?” Matteoasked.

Shit!

I wanted to kick Matteo under the table, but the booth was too wide and he was out ofreach.

“Your guy?” Krystina asked with her eyesnarrowed.

“Yes,” I confirmed, not skipping a beat. “Beaumont designed yournecklace.”

It wasn’t a lie. Sheldon Tremaine did design her necklace and her engagement ring. There was no reason for her to know the rest – at least not for right now. I would tell her eventually, but not until after she used Beaumont’s commission to strengthen Turning Stone’sportfolio.

“I love this song!” Allyson suddenly exclaimed. Krystina turned her attention to Allyson and I’ve never felt more grateful for adistraction.

I recognized the DJ’s transition as well. It sounded like a remix of Katy Perry’s latest, a song that Krystina often played when running on the treadmill in the home gym. Looking down, I noticed her foot tapping in time to the music and decided to capitalize onit.

“You’re dying to get on the dance floor, aren’tyou?”