Page 7 (1/2)

At least my room is on the opposite end of the house froe and coe, givingoffice It’s almost like an apartment, separated from everybody else’s rooms by the massive library in between

I can hear guests already starting to arrive down below I change into le

Everything goes se I can see her sleek blonde bob across the lawn, and hear her light, cultured laugh as sheand iuests

I’ my way down my own list of Cardenas, Rico, and Dowell as each person arrives

After about an hour, the fireworks start They’ve been timed to coincide with sunset, so the brilliant explosions sta

nd out against the newly-darkened sky It’s a callass The fireworks reflect in double on the water below

Most of the guests turn to watch the show, their faces illuminated, and their mouths open in surprise

I don’t bother to watch, taking the opportunity to scan the crowd for anybody I was supposed to talk to that I ht have missed

Instead, I see someone who definitely wasn’t invited—a tall dark-haired kid standing with a bunch of Nessa’s friends Towering over theot to be 6’5 at least I’est one

But the nextup to talk to roup, the tall kid is gone I’ll have to speak to security, tell them to keep an eye out

First, food I’ve barely had tirab a few shrimps off the buffet, then look around for a proper drink Waiters are circulating through the croith flutes of bubbling chane, but I don’t want that shit The line at the bar is too long What I really want is le Malt, up in my office

Well, why the hell not? I already made the rounds of the most important people I can sneak away for a ets here That was a splurge from Dad I don’t know if it was to el, or if it was just to show off Either way, the guests will love it

I’ll be back in plenty of time

I head back inside, cliot a little bar in h-end liquor and a mini icebox I pull out a nice heavy tumbler, throw in three jumbo-sized ice cubes, and pour a heavy measure of whiskey on top I inhale the heady scent of pear, wood, and s in my throat

I know I should go back down to the party, but honestly, now that I’ the break You have to have a certain level of narcissis, the attention