Jazz wielded a tube of lipstick. It was blood red.

I held up a hand. “Guys⁠—”

“You’re going to have fun.” Jazz’s voice was threaded with steel.

Sierra nodded. “You worked hard for this night. You’ve been so busy lately, and worried about Langston Hotels, so tonight, don’t worry about any of that.”

“I don’t wear red.” It was too bright against my pale skin.

“You do tonight.” My assistant expertly applied it to my lips. Then she whipped out her perfume and spritzed me. It was her favorite jasmine scent.

“Wow,” Sierra breathed. “You look like a dark fairy queen.”

I swished the skirt a little. I couldn’t help it. A little fizz of excitement ran through me. Every girl secretly loved to swish a skirt.

Allie crouched in front of me. “One last thing.”

She pushed the tulle back to uncover my black and silver dress. She grabbed the slit in my skirt, gripped it, then ripped it upward.

I gasped. “Allie.”

When she was done, the slit was now up to my upper thigh, showing off a lot of leg.

She rose and nodded. “Now you’re a sexy, dark fairy queen.”

“Go.” Jazz waved her hand. “Enjoy what’s left of the night.”

“Dance,” Sierra said. “Have some champagne. Kiss a guy.”

The three of them were grinning at me.

“Fine.” I smiled back at them. “I’m slightly annoyed with you bullies, but I still love you.”

Allie gave me a shove. I walked into the crowd and across the room. People looked at me. I saw one man give me a long, considering look.

My chin lifted. Damn, I liked it.

I nabbed a flute of champagne off a tray. It tasted like liquid gold.

Just for the next hour, I’d let myself forget about paying Emily’s mortgage, Josh’s college tuition, Langston Hotels, and everything.

Tonight, I wasn’t sensible, hard-working Tessa Ashford.

I was a dark fairy queen.

I circled the dancing people and a man caught my gaze. He was moving to the music and held out a hand to me.

I shook my head. He looked to be a foot shorter than me, a decade older, and lacked any rhythm. As I scanned around, I realized I was looking for him. The man I’d spotted earlier.

It was silly. He was probably here with his wife, girlfriend, or boyfriend. I made it to the stairs leading up to the mezzanine and leaned against the railing, sipping my champagne. A velvet rope cordoned off the upper mezzanine to keep guests on the main floor.

Darn it, my glass was empty. I held up the flute. As I contemplated getting another glass, I spotted a man at the edge of the dancefloor, grabbing the arm of a woman in a blue dress. His black-and-gold mask was askew.

“Come on, baby. Dance with me.” His voice was slurred.