“Will you excuse me for just a moment?” Stone asked. He had seen Charlene Joiner enter the house, and he wanted to be the first to greet her.

Her face lit up as she spotted him. Charlene was beautifully attired in a silk dress and very high heels, with just the right accents of jewelry. “Stone! How are you, sweetheart?”

“I’m extremely well,” Stone replied, “as you obviously are. Have you met my son and his girl?”

“I have,” she replied. “We’ve been discussing an interesting role in his next film.”

“And have you met the vice president?”

“No, but I’d like to.”

“Right this way,” Stone said, taking her elbow and propelling her across the room to where Stanton still stood with Peter and Hattie. “Vice President Stanton,” Stone said, “may I present my favorite actress, Ms. Charlene Joiner?”

Stone watched as something clicked on in Stanton’s eyes and his hand reached for Charlene’s. This was the lady-killer in action, and he was about to meet his match.

“If you’ll excuse us,” Peter said, “we have some guests to greet.”

“I’ll help,” Stone said, and moved away from the man and woman who were so obviously enchanted with each other. He followed Peter and Hattie toward the front door and saw Ann come in.

“Hello, there.” He kissed her.

“Oh, hello,” she replied. “I was nearby when Kate finished with her appointments, so I didn’t bother to call.”

“You didn’t need to,” Stone said, signaling a waiter and ordering them drinks.

“My God!” she said. “There’s Martin Stanton. I want to go and say hello.”

“No,” Stone said, taking her arm. “Not now. He is entirely engaged at the moment, and we don’t want to interrupt.”

She looked at him through narrowed eyes. “You are wicked.”

“They’re getting along so well, why interrupt them? Why don’t we go next door and see Ben’s house?” He led her out a door to a terrace and found a flagstone path to the house next door. Others were streaming down it as well. As they approached the house Stone saw Ben and Tessa chatting with Leo Goldman Jr., the CEO of Centurion Studios.

“Stone!” Leo shouted, then grabbed his hand.

“Good to see you, Leo. May I present Ann Keaton?”

“How do you do, Ms. Keaton?”

“Ann is deputy manager for Kate Lee’s campaign.”

“I know your name well from our donor lists, Mr. Goldman,” Ann said. “In fact, you’re on my list to call.”

Leo began slapping his pockets. “I seem to have forgotten my checkbook,” he said.

“That’s all right,” Ann said, “I’ll hunt you down later.”

“Seriously,” Leo said, “the check is literally in the mail.”

“I’ll alert the postal services.”

Stone and Ann progressed into Ben’s beautifully furnished house and found a pair of comfortable chairs.