In unison, both women stared at the glasses in their hands, until Joanna broke the silence. “Look, I...I just want you to know that I promise I won’t do anything to embarrass you,” she said, turning to Addison. “Evelyn has been coaching me for weeks, and I know what to expect and what to do. After dinner, I’ll just meander around the room and get lost in the crowd. I promise.”

Addison had no doubt Joanna believed she was telling the truth, but Addison wasn’t blind, and she was reasonably sure neither were the multitude of people most likely attending Bradley Easterbrook’s party that night.

A chime sounded, and while its volume was low, the interruption caused both women to jump. Addison pressed a button, and the glass partition between the driver and passengers opened. “What is it, David?”

“I just wanted to let you know we’re about five minutes away,” David said over his shoulder.

“Thank you,” Addison said. Pushing the button again, Addison didn’t say a word until the glass panels had closed. “It’s almost showtime. You ready for this?” she said, looking at Joanna.

Even though Joanna had yet to utter a sound, the liquor in her glass told Addison all she needed to know as it began sloshing against the crystal as if the car was driving across rumble strips. Leaning closer, Addison placed her hand on Joanna’s knee. “Relax,” she said softly. “It’ll be okay. It’s just a party.”

Joanna raised her eyes to meet Addison’s. “It’s just a party?” she blurted. “I’m wearing a dress costing thousands of pounds and jewelry worth—” Joanna stopped long enough to glance at the diamond encrusted bracelet encircling her wrist. “Worth I don’t know how much, and you say it’s just a party? Really?”

Addison let out a snort, and quickly finishing her drink, she placed the crystal tumbler back into its holder. “Okay, so it’s not just a party, but I’m out of my element, too, if that helps.”

“It doesn’t,” Joanna said, reaching for the decanter.

“No, you’ve had enough,” Addison said, closing the compartment.

“Addison, I have no idea what the fuck I’m doing!”

“Joanna, relax,” Addison said, turning so she could look Joanna in the eye. “In a few minutes, David is going to open this door,” Addison said, gesturing to the one on her side of the car. “I’m going to get out and offer you my hand, and you’re going to take it. We’re going to smile for the photographers for a minute or two, and then we’re going to go inside. After that, all you need to do is nibble some appetizers, have a cocktail or two, eat dinner, and make small talk.”

“But I don’t know how to make small talk, especially not with people wealthier than God!”