Page 15 of No Mane, No Gain
“Ms. Russo!” A harried-looking young woman in a headset hurried over. “Thank goodness you’re here. We have a slight issue with the seating chart - the Hendersons and the Jacksons are both requesting to be moved away from each other.”
Olive suppressed a sigh. Of course, there’d be last-minute drama. There always was. “Don’t worry, Sarah,” she said, patting the assistant’s arm reassuringly. “I’ll handle it. Why don’t you check on the catering staff and make sure they’re ready to start serving?”
As Sarah scurried off, Olive squared her shoulders and plastered on her most diplomatic smile. Time to put those people skills to work.
The next hour passed in a whirlwind of activity. Olive smoothed ruffled feathers, directed lost guests, and charmed potential donors with practiced ease. By the time the majority of the guests had arrived, she’d successfully averted three minor crises and secured two major donation pledges.
Pausing for a moment to catch her breath, Olive snagged a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. She took a small sip, savoring the bubbly sensation on her tongue.
“Well, well, well,” a familiar voice said from behind her. “If it isn’t the woman of the hour.”
Olive turned, her face lighting up as she spotted Athena. Athena looked stunning in a chic, fashion-forward ensemble that complemented Olive’s gold dress perfectly.
“Thena!” Olive exclaimed, pulling her cousin in for a quick hug. “Thank god you’re here. I was starting to worry you’d gotten lost in your closet trying to pick an outfit.”
Athena laughed, the sound warm and melodious. “Please, as if I’d miss your big night. Besides, I had to come see if the reality lived up to all your stressed-out ranting.”
“And?” Olive prompted, raising an eyebrow.
“And I have to say, cuz, you’ve outdone yourself,” Athena replied, her green eyes twinkling with pride. “This place looks amazing. You should see the way people’s jaws are dropping when they walk in.”
Olive felt a wave of relief wash over her. “Really? You’re not just saying that because you love me and are contractually obligated as my best friend to boost my ego?”
“Oh please,” Athena scoffed. “When have I ever held back on telling you the brutal truth? Remember that hideous dress you almost wore to your college graduation?”
Olive winced at the memory. “Fair point. And thanks, Thena. I couldn’t have pulled this off without your support.”
“That’s what I’m here for,” Athena said, linking her arm through Olive’s. “Now, tell me all the juicy gossip. Any scandals brewing yet?”
As they made their way around the room, Olive filled Athena in on the various dramas and near-disasters of the evening so far. They shared a laugh over the Hendersons’ and Jacksons’ feud, speculating wildly about what could have caused such animosity between the two families.
“Maybe old Mr. Henderson ran over Mrs. Jackson’s prize-winning poodle,” Athena suggested, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Olive snorted, nearly choking on her champagne. “Or perhaps Mrs. Henderson and Mr. Jackson had a torrid affair back in their college days, and now-”
She broke off mid-sentence, her eyes drawn to the entrance of the ballroom. A tall, imposing figure had just walked in, and Olive found herself utterly incapable of forming coherent thoughts.
The man was, quite simply, stunning. He stood at least six and a half feet with broad shoulders that filled out his impeccably tailored suit to perfection. His dark hair was neatlytrimmed with just a hint of rakish disorder that made Olive’s fingers itch to run through it. But it was his eyes that truly captivated her - a striking hazel that seemed to glow with an inner fire.
As if sensing her gaze, the man turned, his eyes locking with Olive’s from across the room. The jolt of electricity that shot through her body nearly made her knees buckle.
“Earth to Olive,” Athena’s amused voice broke through her daze. “You still in there?”
Olive blinked, tearing her eyes away from the mystery man with considerable effort. “What? Oh, sorry, I just... who is that?”
Athena followed her gaze, a knowing smirk spreading across her face. “Ah, I see what caught your attention. That, my dear cousin, is Chaos Amato. Big shot from Silicon Valley, tech genius, and if the rumors are to be believed, an honest-to-god lion shifter.”
“A what now?” Olive sputtered, her eyes widening in disbelief.
“A lion shifter,” Athena repeated, her voice low. “You know, like those paranormal romances you’re always gushing about on your vlog? Shifters are not as fictional as people think.”
Olive’s mind reeled. A shifter here at her event? She thought back to her meeting with Gerri Wilder, the matchmaker’s cryptic comments suddenly taking on a whole new meaning.
Before she could fully process this earth-shattering revelation, Olive realized with a start that Chaos Amato was making his way through the crowd - straight toward her.
“Oh god,” she muttered, smoothing down her dress with suddenly trembling hands. “He’s coming over here. How do I look? Is my lipstick smudged? Do I have spinach in my teeth?”
Athena rolled her eyes, giving Olive a gentle shove. “You look gorgeous, as always. Now pull yourself together, woman. Where’s that famous Olive Russo charm?”