Addison said not a word to the men surrounding Joanna as she joined the circle. Her eyes darted to each, a silent condemnation for their existence, and with only one look, she quickly caused a shuffling of feet, a clearing of throats, and a mass exodus of rented tuxedos and trendy stubble-faced men.

Joanna smiled as she watched her admirers flee the scene. “You sure know how to clear a room,” she said, taking a sip of champagne. “I’m impressed.”

Addison moved a step closer so she could keep her voice low. “I didn’t say a word.”

“I don’t think you had to,” Joanna whispered. “Well played.”

Addison knew her possessive display wasn’t an act, so faking a grin she casually looked around the room. Eventually, her attention returned to Joanna, and noticing the empty champagne flute in her hand, Addison said, “Would you like another drink?”

Joanna no sooner opened her mouth to speak when a member of the wait staff appeared out of nowhere. “My apologies for interrupting,” the silver-haired man said. “But dinner is being served on the rear veranda. If you follow me, I’ll lead you to your seats.”

“Shall we?” Addison said, holding out her hand to Joanna.

“Of course,” Joanna said, slipping her fingers through Addison’s.

Bradley’s home, while massive, could not comfortably seat a hundred people within its walls, so other measures had been taken. Addison and Joanna found themselves being escorted through the house, and onto the patio at the rear where marquees had been erected to protect the partygoers from the elements. Complete with flooring, heat, and tables covered in linen, silver, china, and crystal, if it hadn’t been for the plastic palladium windows stitched into the walls of fabric, it would have felt as if they were in just another room of the house.

It was customary at large formal events that spouses were separated during dinner in hopes new friendships or business relationships could develop, so Addison wasn’t surprised when Joanna was sat at one table for eight, while she was guided to another. They wouldn’t see each other again for nearly two hours.

***

Shortly after ten Addison and Joanna finally bid their farewell and left the party, and unlike when they were introduced, this time Bradley refrained from hugging his guests. Still smiling and as puffed up as a man could be, he walked them out to the Rolls. Waiting while unrelenting photographers took even more pictures, he then proceeded to hang in the opened door of the automobile for several more minutes, bubbling over with delight until he finally allowed them to leave.

Neither Joanna nor Addison said a word as David pulled away from the house. The party and the food had taken its toll. Content in staring out their respective windows, a half hour passed before the quiet in the car was finally interrupted when both women let out audible sighs at the same time.