Daiyu was paying them no attention. She was clad in a sleek turquoise-blue dress, and the cut of it showed off her long, toned legs to full advantage. Her hair had been pulled back into a loose, elegant style, and her only accessory was a cascade of diamonds set in silver, plunging like raindrops between her breasts. I managed not to gape, but my eyes lingered on her longer than was polite before I remembered to say, “You look stunning.”

“You look pretty stunning yourself.” She smoothed a hand over my lapel.

Before I could respond, Angela charged up to us. “Jason Zhou from California,” she exclaimed. “Where have you been hiding?” She grabbed me by one bicep and kissed me on the other cheek.

As much as I’d studied and followed the yous online, I could make no sense at all over the cheek kissing. Did I kiss them back? I thought Daiyu’s kiss was a thank-you for the flowers. What was Angela’s for, then?

“I haven’t been hiding,” I said, deciding not to return any cheek kisses today. Or ever.

Angela still clutched my arm, gazing up at me and fluttering her long lashes. She wore a strapless black dress today, and her lotus tattoos had been replaced by bats nestled among peach blossoms, one floating beneath each clavicle. “There’s been a party every night since New Year’s Eve, and I haven’t seen you at any of them!” She squeezed my arm in reprimand. I blinked when her unnaturally lit golden eyes turned a deep emerald, glowing subtly. Some new you fad she must have bought.

“Ah,” I replied. “I’m not a party-every-night kind of guy.”

She pouted impressively, her deep red lips reminding me of ripe fruit. “I think you two deserve each other.” She pushed me toward Daiyu, then made a show of suppressing a bored yawn behind one hand. “Enjoy watching reruns together dressed in your onesies and sipping tea.” Angela waggled her fingers at us, then flitted off.

I laughed and shook my head. “I’m not sure I can even picture that. A onesie?”

“They’re pajama suits. Very soft. I have a purple one with cats all over it.” Daiyu was pressed against my side, where I had bumped into her with Angela’s playful shove.

I felt her warmth against my body. Neither of us moved or spoke.

Finally, she tilted her head, exposing the graceful column of her throat. “You look . . . uncomfortable.”

“I am . . .” I paused. Should I play the part or speak the truth? “Very uncomfortable. I don’t wear tuxes often, and I never attend extravagant galas.”

She adjusted my black satin bow tie, which Victor had tied with care, and swept both hands over my shoulders. “But you look the part so perfectly.” She smiled.

I hoped so.

Daiyu looped her arm in mine. “Let me introduce you to my friends.”