She smiled serenely at the cameras, already hating the fact that she would no longer have a convenient partner to stand by her side during events like these. She was fine on her own, but it was nice to have companionship to combat anyone who wanted more than business from her, and to deal with the loneliness that haunted leadership.

Raj waved to a few familiar faces as she and Robert made their way up the stairs and waited for their cue to stand in front of the vinyl backdrop. They posed, smiled some more, and then Robert stepped away so that Raj could pose on her own.

Once inside, they followed the marked path to the Grand Promenade and entered under a canopy of pale pink and purple flowers dripping from the ceiling and the second-floor balcony. A twelve-piece jazz band stationed in the center of the portico made upbeat music that echoed through the space.

“I need a drink,” Robert said. He stepped away from Raj’s side. “What’s our table?”

“We’re at Kia’s table tonight. The one up front and center to the raised platform.”

“I’ll meet you there.” Without another word, he walked away.

“Ms. Hothi!” Raj turned to see who had called her name. A woman with flaming red hair and an iPad tucked against her hip grabbed Raj’s hand. Her enthusiastic shake felt like she was pumping water from a well on a dry day.

“Thank you so, so much for the incredible work you and RKH Collective have done for the Gen One Foundation. With the money your company helped us raise, we’ll be able to save so many women who have found themselves in this country without any support or job skills needed to take care of themselves and their families.”

“Thank you, sweetie, but I know what the foundation does. I’m on the board.”

The woman paused, as if she hadn’t been prepared for her speech to be interrupted. “Yes, of course. I’m Maggie, the head executive assistant at Gen One Foundation. You’d probably recognize me from the foundation quarterly calls. I came over because Kia would love to thank you before dinner. Do you have a moment?”

“Lead the way.”

Raj followed Maggie at a leisurely pace until she reached the high table in the corner of the portico. Kia sparkled in her black gown with white print and diamond clips in her braids. She held court with three men Raj had met previously: the CEO of a major bank, a chief diversity officer at a marketing agency, and a member of the UN.

“Ma’am,” Maggie said, cutting off the CEO midsentence. “As you requested, I’ve found Ms. Raj Hothi for you.”

Kia’s mouth pursed but she nodded at Maggie. “Thank you. Would you check to make sure all of our speakers are here? Text me if there is an issue.”