The VIP lounge at Velvet shimmered beneath crystal chandeliers.
Champagne bubbles burst silently against the sides of expensive glasses.
I walked in with my arm linked through Adriano's.
Lucian was already there.
A new blonde model sat beside him, feeding him strawberries with a silver fork.
"Well, look who finally showed up."
He looked up.
The fork nicked his lip, drawing a bead of blood.
The girl offered an apologetic smile.
Lucian licked the blood away.
But his eyes never left me.
"My new girlfriend."
His tone was casual.
"I'm not retiring anymore. I think I'll follow Mr. Castellano's example and wait until thirty-two before considering an arranged marriage."
He adjusted a velvet cat-shaped throw pillow beside him and shot me a look.
It was my favorite cartoon character f
