Page 97 of Player For Hire
We were keeping it pretty low-key with just a few friends. I’d gotten close to Dahlia and Amberly thanks to our trivia Sundays. Callahan, Duncan, and Jimmy were also invited as well as Colder’s sister-in-law Shannon, who made an appearance, as well. They were excited to enjoy a kid-free night with adults.
Iona and I had added some extra fairy lights to the patio to go with the classy Edison bulb-style string lights that crisscrossed overhead. We had two coolers full of ice on either side of the projector screen. There was both beer and easy-to-drink summer beverages, both alcoholic and non.
We kept it easy with the food thanks to a few pasta dishes from Jimmy’s and a few charcuterie boards that Colder and I had put together this afternoon. Dahlia had brought flowers from nearby Daisy Rae’s. I recognized the big mason jars with the polka dot ribbons from the window when Colder had introduced me to the Bookstore Cafe.
The Gerbera daisies were a fun pop of color against the neutral gray outdoor couches and chairs that were scattered around the rooftop space. There was also a mix of fake greenery and actual potted plants that made it feel very homey.
As usual, Iona took care of the wine choices and had a whole table full of white and red for people to choose from.
“Relax and come talk to people.” Colder’s hand slid around my waist. He brushed a kiss against my temple. “This is supposed to be fun.”
“I just want to make sure everyone has what they need.”
“Look around. They’re all doing great.”
Dahlia and Shannon were chatting about pets, I was pretty sure. I didn’t catch everything, but I’d distinctly heard something about cat treats. Duncan and Jimmy were talking about the hockey playoffs that were going hot and heavy.
Iona and Amberly were chatting near the railing that looked out over Kensington Boulevard. The sky was awash with pinks and oranges and just a hint of purple creeping in over the city, adding a lovely ambiance.
Cal hadn’t shown up yet, but he was only a maybe.
“Everyone seems to gel.”
Colder pulled me into his arms. “They do. So now’s your time to relax and enjoy yourself.” He slipped away and laced our fingers to pull me over to sit with Shannon.
“Oh, hey. There’s the girl of the hour.” Dahlia lifted a glass to me. “Congrats on the book. I can’t wait to preorder it.”
“Me too. I’m a huge Throne of Glass fan. Colder told me you write similar stuff.”
I blushed. “Pretty close. More dragons.”
“Naked dragons,” Iona called from the edge of the patio.
I laughed. “There’s a fair bit of naked.”
“Count me in.” Shannon’s dark eyes sparkled. She had thick, dark hair to go with an olive complexion. She complemented Jimmy’s dark blond curls and all-American face.
Duncan glanced over at us from the iPad he had set up on one of the tables with a hockey game on the screen. “Did someone say naked?”
Iona walked across the patio on her cherry-red stilettos which matched the belt on her teal wrap dress. She had hammered gold hoops at her ears and was rocking her Medusa necklace tonight. “Of course you heard the naked part.”
She sat beside me and crossed her legs. “You all will want to read this one. It has something for everyone. And I do mean everyone. Even you, Pucky.”
“Pucky? Who the hell are you calling Pucky, Ivanna?”
Iona rolled her eyes. Duncan loved to say any female I name other than hers. “The book is going to be a bestseller. Now we just need to get her an agent who will go for the jugular.”
Nerves bubbled in my belly at that part. I’d been researching agents and so many of them weren’t taking on new clients or didn’t seem to have credentials I could track easily. As far as I was concerned, that was a ridiculous red flag.
“I appreciate all of you coming to cheer me on. I still have a long way to go on the road to publishing.”
“But you’re getting published.” Iona’s voice was firm.
I looped my arm around hers and gave her a squeeze. “Too bad you’re not an agent.”
“She’s a damn pit bull. She could be,” Duncan muttered and sat back down near his iPad.
Iona gave me a shark smile. “I could be. Frankie has taught me to be a ball buster.”