Page 90 of Strip Search

“How are we doing, ladies?” Parker said, coming into the dressing room. He gave Lisa a kiss on the cheek and smiled at me. “You both look beautiful.”

Lisa dragged him into a private corner to canoodle a bit and I gave them some privacy. Leaving my fans behind, I walked out into the club where the band was playing something slow and hypnotic. My parents were on the dance floor. I waved at my father and he gave me a thumbs-up.

“Hey gorgeous.” Miles pulled me in for a kiss. “Nervous?”

“No. You?”

“It’s all good.”

“I just wish Darcy were here to celebrate. It’s not fair,” I said.

“I know.” Miles hugged me. “He’d be here if he could. He said to tell you congratulations.”

“For what? Not killing Lisa?”

“I told him that congratulations might be premature, but he didn’t think so.” Miles handed me a small velvet box.

“What’s this? Something to go with my flapper costume?”

“If you want.”

I opened it, expecting earrings. Or a hairclip. I hadn’t been expecting a diamond ring.

“It’s . . . it’s . . .”

“Jacqueline Aida Mitchell, I love you. Would you do me the honor of being my wife?”

Miles slipped the marquis-cut diamond on my finger. It flashed in the soft light of the club and with the sequins of my dress. “Yes. Oh, Miles. Yes.”

“Don’t cry. You’ll look like a raccoon.”

I threw my arms around his neck. “I love you.”

“You’re going to knock them dead tonight. Everyone is going to see you for the star that you are.”

“How long until the show starts?” I asked, threading my fingers through his and leading him back to his office.

“Long enough,” he said, huskily and locked the door behind him.