Tony nodded, acknowledging the introduction, and promptly turned to Lucy. “Thanks for coming tonight. We appreciate it. Means a lot, believe me.”
He, too, appeared relieved, but Gabriel noticed that no air-kisses were exchanged.
“I wanted to wish you both all the best,” Lucy said.
“We’re both very glad,” Tony said. He shot Gabriel another glance. “We didn’t realize you were bringing a … friend.”
“It was a last-minute thing,” Lucy said. “The invitation said plus-one. I hope you don’t mind. Mr. Jones is a new client.”
“No, of course we don’t mind. Just glad you could make it.” Tony gave Gabriel another assessing glance. “A client?”
“That’s right,” Lucy said. She smiled. “Congratulations on your engagement, Tony. I wish you and Emeline a lifetime of happiness.”
The best wishes sounded heartfelt, Gabriel decided.
Tony smiled. “Thanks.” He turned to Gabriel. “Welcome to Illusion Town, Mr. Jones. It’s about time we had our own Guild here.”
“Thanks,” Gabriel said. “I’m looking forward to joining the community.”
“This really is a surprise,” Emeline said. She looked at Lucy. “We had no idea the two of you were seeing each other.”
“Oh, there’s nothing personal involved here,” Lucy said. “As I just explained to Tony, it’s a business arrangement. I’ve agreed to help Mr. Jones with an investigation.”
Emeline stared at her, anxiety in her eyes. “You’re going to go back underground?”
“First thing in the morning,” Lucy said.
Tony frowned. “Are you sure that’s wise?”
“Did the doctors say it was okay for you to return to your weather work?” Emeline asked. She sounded deeply concerned.
“I didn’t ask the doctors,” Lucy said.
Emeline looked more anxious than ever. “But—”
Gabriel decided it was time to intervene. “I need a first-class channeler to help with a security matter down in the Ghost City. Fortunately, Ms. Bell is available.”
“Yes, of course,” Emeline said quickly. “It’s just that after what happened—”
“Mr. Jones and I will be leaving early in the morning, so we won’t be staying long tonight,” Lucy said. “But I couldn’t miss this opportunity to congratulate both of you.”
“That’s great,” Tony said. He snagged two crystal flutes off a passing tray. “Champagne?”
“Absolutely,” Lucy said. She took one of the glasses and hoisted it in a small toast. “To Tony and Emeline.”
Gabriel took the glass, echoed the toast, and drank a little champagne. He set the glass down and looked at Lucy.
“Will you dance with me?” he asked.
She stared at him as if she had never heard of dancing, but she recovered quickly and set her glass down as well. “Sure.”
He guided her toward the dance floor and took her into his arms. She felt good, warm and soft; curved in all the right places. She smelled good, too. The whisper of her aura sang to his senses, just as it had the night he had found her in the Underworld. It was so satisfying to have her close again, even if only for the length of a dance. It felt right.
He had spent a lot of time thinking about her during the past eight weeks. Sometimes he had wondered if his imagination combined with the fact that he had been living a sex-free life ever since Angela had dumped him had led him to conjure a fantasy woman. But as soon as he had seen her in the Storm Zone tour bus he had known that the real Lucy was a thousand times more compelling than any woman his imagination could have created.
The band was playing a slow, intimate number. Gabriel tightened his hold and drew her closer. He tried to suppress the question that had been burning in his thoughts ever since Lucy had told him that her ex was marrying one of her friends. But in the end he could not resist.
“Are you okay with what’s happening here tonight?” he asked. “Your ex and your friend—？”
She didn’t answer for a moment. She glanced across the ballroom to where Tony and Emeline stood greeting their guests.
“Yes,” she said finally. “I’m fine, actually. Coming here tonight was a good idea. Tony and I were friends. We had fun together. He’s a nice person. But what we had was a flirtation, not a deep, abiding love. That’s why I had to show up this evening.”
“I understand.”