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while Kendra let out a deep, throaty laugh.
    “Looks like the New Girl was working the room better than I realized.” She set down her tin of rhinestones and lifted a palm in the air.
    It took me a minute to realize she was waiting for a high five. Heaven knows, it didn’t feel like a moment to celebrate for me.
    Finally, I gave her the necessary hand smack and tried to smile.
    “G-guess I’d better get going.” I stumbled through the words a bit because I was super nervous. I couldn’t go out the back door if Trey was waiting for me there. He was at least five minutes earlier than we’d agreed.
    Praying for an escape plan to come to me, I hitched the strap to my duffel higher on my shoulder and moved toward my bouncer escort.
    “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” called Kendra, a teasing note in her voice suggesting I should do whatever the hell I wanted.
    I wish.
    “Can I carry that for you?” the huge man asked. He looked like he’d been at the gym every day of his life and I was amazed he’d found a suit coat to span those shoulders.
    “No, thank you,” I squeaked in a rush, darting forward before he could insist on taking it.
    “This way.” He gestured left and I nodded meekly, hoping he didn’t try to make conversation.
    I needed to hang back and find a way out.
    The music coming from the dance floor had turned into a screechy female vocal over heavy bass drums. The result sounded like someone having sex and I pictured myself going out into the parking lot with Trey and getting sweaty and naked. Forcing myself back to reality, I noticed there weren’t many doors around, let alone any labeled with a big red Exit sign.
    But as soon as I saw a glimpse of flashing purple strobe lights, I knew I must be near the front of the club and the main stage. So, without a word to Mr. Big and Beefy, I turned a sharp left and zipped down the hall toward the music.
    Was it my imagination, or did I hear a male voice calling after me a couple of seconds later?
    I didn’t look back as I pushed past half-dressed waitresses and men with glazed and drunken eyes. A couple of guys materialized before me, but I ducked around them with ease. I was a woman on a mission. Seeing a crowd around the front entrance, I edged through the throng and shoved the heavy steel door open.
    Hitting the pavement at a run, I left Backstage behind and headed for my SUV. When the engine turned over and I reversed out of the parking spot, I knew I should feel relieved. I had secured a job for Natalie and escaped Trey Fraser. He would never know that the mystery dancer on stage was one of the wealth management experts who would be servicing his account.
    Yet the only thing I felt as I pulled onto the highway was a deep sense of loss that I’d had to deceive the only man who’d looked at me twice. The only man who’d propositioned me for a one-night stand.
    Even worse, going back to my regular life would feel like a huge letdown after all this. But at least my behind-the-scenes role at Sphere would keep me away from Trey. After tonight, there wasn’t any reason in the world I’d ever see him again.

4
    “C AN I HELP you?” the redhead behind the desk at Sphere Management asked, an old-fashioned teacup steaming beside her.
    Almost as much as Trey steamed right now.
    He couldn’t be sure if he was more frustrated about being stood up the night before or about the leak in his small organization that made his professional plans public knowledge.
    “Courtney Masterson.” At least he knew where to find her.
    Natalie Night would have to wait.
    “Certainly.” The receptionist lifted the handset on her phone. “May I give her your name?”
    “Trey Fraser.” Not for the first time, he wished he had a name that wasn’t so well recognized in this town.
    His photo hadn’t shown up on the gossip blogs this morning, but it was early yet. Eric’s face had been all over the internet long before dawn. It would be a minor miracle if none of those