Page 8

The business card

G wen strolls up to me with an amused grin. “Two men at the same time, Soph? I’m impressed.”

“You only live once, right?”

“What happened to you remaining inconspicuous?” she asks, lightly hip-checking me.

I scan the room. “I’ve decided I would rather risk being dragged out of this place than hide behind a plant all night.”

“Good. Because everyone could see you standing behind it.”

Embarrassed, I shake my head. Needing to change the subject, I ask her, “So, how did it go with the Phantom?”

She looks at me questioningly. “Phantom?”

“It’s the nickname I came up with for your sexy blond.”

“Ah…” Gwen gives me an impish smile. “I didn’t learn much about him, but he sure seemed interested in you .”

“Me?” I frown in concern.

“Yeah, you’re hard to miss in this white dress.”

“What did he say?”

“While we were talking, he mentioned seeing the two of us together and wanted to know more about you.”

Glancing over at the Phantom, my heart skips a beat when I see him staring directly at me.

I immediately scan the crowd, pretending I didn’t notice him, then turn my back to him. “Please tell me you didn’t share anything personal about me, G.”

“Only that you’re my best friend, and that I am very protective of you.”

I smile at her gratefully. “Thanks.”

Her eyes suddenly light up. “I did hear some juicy things about those three from some of the other guests.”

“Really?” I lean closer, curious to hear what she’s learned.

“That couple? They are not the hosts. But get this…the guy used to be the headmaster at a BDSM school.”

A shiver runs down my spine. “A…BDSM school?”

She nods vigorously. “And the woman he’s with? She was once his student.”

I look back at the couple in disbelief. They look far too refined to be involved in anything so base and distasteful.

Unsettled by the news, I ask her about the blond hunk.

“It’s kind of tragic. Turns out he’s a single dad who lost his wife in childbirth.”

Filled with sympathy for the man, I look back at the Phantom. “That is sad…”

“I’ve returned with your water, mademoiselle.”

I glance up to see Matisse holding out a glass to me. Touched, I take the water from him and introduce Gwen. “Matisse, this is my best friend, Gwen. She’s an actress on Broadway.”

“Off Broadway,” she corrects me with a beguiling smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

Gwen effortlessly draws Matisse into the conversation by asking, “You wouldn’t happen to know who the host for this party is? Everyone I’ve spoken to only has guesses.”

He shakes his head. “I’m as curious as you are.”

Matisse then turns to me. “I would love to hear more about you.”

Surprised by his interest, I scramble to think of something witty or interesting to say, but only come up with, “I’m a piano teacher.”

Gwen quickly interjects, “Sophie is being modest, Matisse. She’s a piano pedagogue who instructs the future musical talent of New York’s high society.”

Leave it to Gwen to make my job sound far more interesting than it is.

“A worthy vocation,” he says with admiration. Looking at the two of us, he tells me, “I won’t monopolize your time any longer. But I must say you look absolutely stunning in that gown.”

Not expecting the compliment, I blush and mutter, “Thank you.”

As soon as he’s out of earshot, Gwen wraps her arm around me. “I love seeing you get the attention you deserve.”

“It feels a little strange, to be honest.”

Looking me over, she states, “Confidence looks good on you, Soph. Now, let’s go mingle!”

We spend the next few hours enjoying interactions with a diverse assortment of people I’m certain I would never meet in real life. For some magical reason, this mask allows me to shed my social fears.

Instead of safely observing from the sidelines, I take a starring role and thoroughly enjoy myself. As the evening draws close to midnight, I feel the energy in the room increase.

The servers move about the room with contagious excitement as they hand out champagne for our hosts’ grand entrance.

I lean over to Gwen. “This is way more exciting than watching fireworks.”

“Right?” she giggles.

Glancing around the room, I wonder where our magnanimous hosts will make their appearance. My excitement vanishes when I notice the Phantom on the other side of the room, pointing at me. He has two security men standing on either side of him.

I swallow hard when the three start walking toward me as the crowd parts to make way. I thrust my glass at Gwen. “My luck just ran out.”

She laughs. “What do you mean?”

I nod toward the three men. “They’re coming for me, G.”

Gwen stands in front of me, nodding in the direction I should run. “Don’t worry. I’ll distract them for you.”

Instead of running, I place my hand on her shoulder. “I’m done hiding.”

Ready to face whatever is coming, I hold my head up as I walk up to the Phantom.

“Miss Lane?” he asks in a serious tone.

I’m left momentarily speechless when I gaze into his ocean-blue eyes. I’ve never seen eyes that deep blue before.

Regaining my senses, I choose to play innocent and ask, “Can I help you?”

“The staff at the front desk informed me that someone by the name of…Skull Crusher…called the hotel asking to speak with you.”

I smirk when I hear the name of Noah’s gaming friend. While I’m relieved this has nothing to do with my voyeurism, I’m surprised that Noah would tell SkullCrusher where I am. “Did he say why he was calling?”

“Unfortunately, he did not. However, he did leave this message.” Looking at the slip of paper in his hand, he reads, “It’s urgent I speak to Sophie Lane so I can tell her the news.”

I grin, certain that SkullCrusher is calling about the tournament. Bursting to know if Noah won the $150,000 prize, I turn to Gwen following behind me.

The cold expression on her face makes it clear that she’s ticked off that Noah’s friend is disrupting our special evening. Hoping Gwen can forgive me, I tell her, “Sorry, G. I’ve gotta take this call. I’ll be right back.”

“But you promised!” she cries.

“I know, I know…but I have a really good feeling about this.”

She rolls her eyes. “You better not miss the grand entrance of our party hosts.”

Giving her a quick hug, I assure her, “I’ll be as fast as I can.”

Bursting with excitement, I tease the Phantom when he escorts me to the elevator. “You do realize if phones were allowed, this wouldn’t have been an issue.”

He nods. “True. But there is a method to our madness, Miss Lane.”

“Which is?”

“Not a concern of yours,” he replies with a roguish glint in his eye.

When the elevator doors open, he steps in with me. On the way down, I stare openly at the blue-eyed heartthrob via the reflection in the mirror. “Am I allowed to know your name?”

He glances at me and nods, but says nothing.

“You’re a cheeky one, aren’t you?”

He looks forward with a slight grin.

Staring at my reflection, I feel as if I’m looking at another person entirely. Not only do I look sure of myself, but I feel it to the core of my being. I don’t know if it’s the dress, the mask, or a combination of the two, but I like this new side of me.

Getting off at the lobby, the Phantom leads me directly to the front desk. “Can you call the number on this note for Miss Lane?”

“Certainly, sir.” The hotel’s concierge dials the number and hands me the phone.

“This should only take a second,” I assure her as I wait impatiently for SkullCrusher to answer.

The moment he says hello, I giggle. “I heard that you have some exciting news for me.”

“Sophie, I’ve been trying to reach you…”

“Don’t tell me, he crushed the competition and won the top prize?” I squeal in excitement when I hear Noah came in second—to the tune of $75,000!

But then SkullCrusher adds somberly, “Unfortunately, that’s not why I called.”

My excitement instantly evaporates. “What do you mean?”

“WheelWarrior—I mean Noah—was in a car accident after leaving the event.”

Unable to process what he just said, I mutter, “I don’t understand.”

“Sophie, his cab was T-boned by a truck running a red light.”

Visions of seeing my father’s closed coffin as a small child flash in my head. “What are you saying?” I cry hysterically, causing everyone in the lobby to turn and stare at me.

“When I called to congratulate him, I found out he was rushed to the ER in an ambulance.”

I lower my voice, grasping the phone tightly. “Is…” I take a deep breath. “Is he okay? Please tell me he’s okay!”

“Noah must have been banged up pretty bad, because he was loopy on whatever drugs they gave him. It’s obvious he’s not thinking clearly, because he told me not to call you. Thankfully, I was able to drag the name of the hotel out of him.”

I whimper, “Noah didn’t want me to worry about him?” Imagining him alone at the hospital, all broken and bloody, I start to cry. “Where did they take him?”

“Bellevue.”

“I’m heading out right now.”

I hand the phone to the concierge, desperate to get to Noah as soon as possible. “I have to get to the hospital.”

“I’ve already called your driver, Miss Lane,” the Phantom informs me. “Would you like me to get Miss Huntington for you, as well?”

I look into his blue eyes, fighting hard to keep from falling apart. “No…Don’t ruin Gwen’s evening until I find out more.”

“Is there anything else I can do for you?” he offers, sounding genuinely concerned.

I swallow hard. “No…unless you’re a praying man.”

“I am,” he replies quietly.

The tears roll down my cheeks. “Can you pray for my boyfriend Noah?”

“I will,” he assures me, as he escorts me to the hotel entrance. Reaching into his breast pocket, he pulls out a card. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call. If my secretary answers, ask to speak directly to Mr. Wallace.”

Staring down at the card through blurry tears, I’m unable to read it. With my free hand, I fumble unsuccessfully trying to untie the beautiful mask.

“You have my permission to keep it if you like.”

I shake my head. Knowing that Noah is seriously hurt, I’m in no mood for frivolous things.

Mr. Wallace unties the mask for me and holds it as he stands in silent support while we wait for the limousine to pull up. Feeling completely numb, I watch as he opens the door for me and then directs the driver, “Take her to Bellevue Hospital. I’m arranging another driver for Miss Huntington.”

“Yes, sir.” Pointing to Gwen’s things, the driver tells him, “Can you make sure the new driver gets Miss Huntington’s coat and purse?”

“I’ll see to it,” Mr. Wallace answers, picking up her luxurious coat and purse. Before shutting the door, he reminds me in a gentle but commanding tone, “Call me if you need anything.”

Nodding weakly, I get into the limo, silently berating myself for choosing this party over Noah’s big night. If I had been with him we would have taken my car, and this accident never would have happened.

During the long drive to the hospital, I try calling Noah several times, but it keeps going straight to voicemail. I call the ER next, but since I’m not family, the nurse refuses to give me any information concerning his condition.

Staring at my phone, I notice my unplayed voice messages. My heart catches when I see the one Noah left earlier today. Desperate to hear his voice, I hit play and close my eyes as I listen.

“Hey, Sophie…please call me back. I know I fucked up New Year’s Eve, and there’s no way I can compete with a fancy party full of rich people. But you’re my good luck charm, babe. I need you with me tonight.”

Afraid this might be the last message I ever hear, I listen to it over and over again, consumed with guilt and regret.

The driver alerts me when we arrive at the hospital. “I’ll be waiting on standby in the garage across the street. If you need me, just let the hospital’s valet attendant know, Miss Lane.”

“Okay…” I mutter absently as I exit the vehicle and head toward the entrance in my high heels. I’m acutely aware of how overdressed I am when people stare at me as I rush inside.

Heading straight to the admission desk, I nervously wait in line, desperate to know Noah’s condition. When my turn finally comes, the male receptionist looks up at me and raises his eyebrows, pausing for a moment. “What is the reason for your visit today?”

I lean forward on the counter, visibly shaking. “Can you tell me if Noah Kennedy is still in the ER or if he’s been moved to a hospital room?”

“And you are?”

I’m tempted to lie, frightened they won’t let me see him. But my conscious won’t let me, so I whisper, “I’m his girlfriend.”

He tightens his lips, and I’m certain he’s about to refuse to give me information, but then he looks me over again and winks. “You’re his sister, you say? Then I’ll be happy to check for you, doll.”

This is the first time my looks have ever garnered me any favors. I know it’s the dress, and I have never been more grateful for a piece of clothing in my life!

A few minutes later, he comes back and shakes his head. Tears fill my eyes, fearing the worst, until he says, “The resident on shift told me that Mr. Kennedy was discharged and sent home an hour ago.”

“Home?” I manage to choke out, wiping away my tears.

“That’s what they said.”

My spirits flying high after hearing that Noah is okay, I take the man’s hand and shake it vigorously. “Thank you!”

He winks. “Anytime, doll.” Then, nodding to the next person in line, he says in a dull voice, “What is the reason for your visit today?”

I sit down in a chair close by, still shaking after hearing the good news. Pulling out my phone, I try calling Noah again and am frustrated when it jumps directly to voicemail. Desperate to see Noah, I hurry out of the ER and inform the valet that I need my driver to return.

“Well, that didn’t take long,” the boy laughs. “Go ahead and wait inside until your limo arrives.”

I gratefully fish out the last twenty I have from my purse and hand it to him.

He stares at the cash and chuckles. “No one tips that much here.”

“I just got some happy news,” I explain.

“Excellent.” He grins, snatching the money from my hand.

When the limousine pulls up, I rush out of the hospital entrance and hear a woman whisper as I pass, “She must be someone famous.”

Giddy with relief, I laugh to myself.

This dress is a superpower all on its own…