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She slipped out of her robe and carefully stepped into the black garaze from the sparkly reflection of the necklace and bracelet in the mirror, she left her suite and went downstairs She’dto beyond those she knew personally—not too difficult since they were nizable A-listers frole of Bayfront, River Cross, and Bliss Mountain
The other guests, notable in their own respects including numerous celebrities and politicians, would be taken care of by the main house butler and his staff Maxwell Barton was basically Greta’s right hand and worked the lower-level wings of the mansion He’d yet to demonstrate any sort of appreciation for or camaraderie with Lily She understood He likely felt she was stepping on his toes because he was charged with tending to the vast majority of the mansion But he couldn’t maintain that position and also serve Jax’s and Lex’s needs upstairs
Lily had tried to build an amiable rapport with the butler, but hadn’t yet melted his icy veneer
Loading up a tray with cocktails, Lily worked the patio, starting with culinary god Christian Davila and celebrity chef Rory St Jaly swore they reelinis had hosted for her Being a foodie who’d been in the restaurant business since she was sixteen, she found it nearly impossible not to be starstruck as she served the famous duo Didn’t help matters that they were both devilishly handsome and radiated power Luckily, Lily had known in advance they were on the VIP list so she didn’t trip over her tongue when they spoke to her Too much
Moving on to Rogen Angelini, whose faelini Distillery that had provided the pre’s affair, she was careful not to spill any drinks on her tray or hiedly handsorin With hieneral counsel of Angelini, Inc Tall, dark, and handsome They both exuded virility And Vin was about as broody as Jax Vin kissed her as well, and then his gaze slid over her and he whistled appreciatively
Lily had her tray perfectly balanced on the palm of one hand and playfully swatted at him with the other
“It’s still just ret it when you’re sober”
“I doubt it” He winked
Scarlet Drake, an independent insurance fraud investigator, swooped in and ooh’d and ahh’d over not only Lily’s rown-up appearance, but also the dress and the jewels
Fighting the blush, Lily said, “Lexington Alexander and Jackson Sterling are a bit eccentric, if you haven’t noticed froanza and the VIP list”
“And you look drop-dead gorgeous,” Scarlet cooed
“As do you,” Lily said to the knockout redhead Then she asked, “How’s Bayli doing?”
“Preparing for aa full-fledged try”
“I’e hit”
“You ought to consider going with her, Lily Seriously The two of you should be plastered all over billboards in Times Square”