the mint martini served in a frozen glass was the Forever Cocktail. We didn’t have a name for Sylvie’s app yet, but the cocktail seemed aptly named.
Above the bar was a giant pull-down projector screen upon which played a continuous loop of the ads that had been shot at the market the weekend before. Kathryn had worked tirelessly with the film team over the past week to bring it together. I’d hopped into the project upon my return to work on Wednesday and found she’d done most of the heavy lifting.
The ad showed scenes of young lovers sharing first kisses over a cup of steaming cider at the market, as well as elderly couples walking hand in hand past booths of handcrafted goodies. There was a kind of love suited for everyone up on that screen, and as I looked around the ballroom, I found that it drew the eyes of at least twenty percent of the guests coming in the room. Most people nudged each other and pointed up at the projector. At some point or another, each and every guest became enthralled by the ad campaign, which meant Kathryn and I had done our jobs well.
I checked my watch for the time.
Kathryn had gone home just before six after spending all day managing the decorations and setup team so she could get herself ready. She should be back anytime now and I couldn’t wait to see her and tell her what a wonderful job she’d done.
I was about to head back out into the Convention Center lobby to wait for her when I was pulled aside by Sylvie and Warren. Sylvie wore a long silver gown and a faux-fur shawl over her shoulders. Long diamond earrings dangled almost to her collarbones and matched her teardrop-shaped necklace.
She ran a hand down my sleeve. “Ethan, this is an absolutely beautiful event. We couldn’t be happier with the ad campaign. It captured everything we saw in our heads but couldn’t bring to life ourselves.”
I nodded curtly to her and her husband. “That’s my specialty. I’m pleased you like it. Kathryn Rouche was an integral part to bringing this night to life.”
“I’ll have to find her and thank her as well then,” Sylvie said.
“I’ll point her in your direction when she arrives.”
Warren cleared his throat. “We’ve had more beta testers sign up for the app launch than our servers can support. It looks like we’ll have to make some upgrades sooner rather than later.”
“That’s a good thing, yes?” I asked, uncertain. Warren was a hard man to read.
He nodded and grinned. “Indeed, it is, Mr. Collinder. Indeed, it is. You’ve outdone yourself. Fine work, very fine work.”
I clasped his hand before excusing myself to track down Kathryn. On the way toward the exit, I passed a server carrying a tray of champagne. I swiped two glasses from him and carried on.
I passed under the illuminated arches and emerged in the lobby, which felt significantly less festive. The air was cooler and there weren’t as many people milling around, so it was easy for me to spot Kathryn in the crowd as she entered the front doors and stepped inside. A gust of cold air blew in behind her and ruffled the skirt of her deep green gown.
It fit her like a glove. It cinched at the waist and flowed outward over her hips straight down to the floor. The silhouette the garment created was stunning, and the way the fabric shimmered as she walked left my senses all jumbled.
I approached her through the crowd and caught her wrist to turn her toward me.
She spun, lips parted, hazel eyes bright with momentary surprise. She smiled. “Ethan.” She looked me up and down. “Don’t you look dashing?”
Next to her, I was quite sure I was invisible.
Her lips were dark red. Her cheeks shimmered when she turned her head and her eyes were lined in dramatic black liner that flicked out at the ends. Her lashes were long and thick, and her hair was pinned to one side and curled.
I finally found my voice and handed her one of the glasses of champagne. “You look gorgeous, Kathryn.”
She tapped her glass to mine. “Here’s to an evening of well-earned indulgence.”
“Define indulgence.”
Her smile turned seductive. “Eating, drinking, dancing… and then maybe some other things when all is said and done.”
“If those other things are helping the cleaners—”
She shushed me. “I hired people for that. We’ll be free to leave at the end of the evening. If we’re