<b>E’s </b><b>POV </b>
The morning <b>of </b>the charity g came just as every other hadtely–cold <b>and </b><b>gloomy </b>weather<b>, </b><b>but </b>with an <b>excited </b>feeling <b>in the </b>air.
Today was the day <b>of </b>the event, and after three weeks of hard work, everything wasing together. Anya fund <b>been </b>working day in and day out to prepare the collection–two gowns and two suits <b>to </b><b>be </b>gifted to tonight’s <b>highest </b>donors–and it showed.
<b>“</b>Anya<b>, </b>these are stunning,” I said, running my fingers along the fine gossamer threads that made <b>up </b><b>one </b>of the gowns. It was an exquisite golden number that pooled around the wearer’s feet like liquid sunlight<b>, </b><b>a </b><b>bright </b>patch of much–needed warmth on a cold winter’s day. It was exactly what <b>I’d </b>envisioned when <b>Anya </b>had brought me the sketches two and a half weeks ago.
My friend grinned more widely than I’d ever seen her, which was saying something, because Anya was perhaps the most smiley person I knew.
“Thanks! I’m really happy with them. There are some details I would change if I had the time, but…<b>” </b>She shrugged. “I think they’re not a bad addition to the portfolio.”
I smiled and turned, spotting one of the event coordinators just then struggling with arge cart of ssware and liquor bottles for tonight’s toast. Excusing myself, I rushed over to her and helped her guide the cart over to the bar area, where we got to work unloading everything into the bar.
It was then that I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. Assuming it was Alexander, who had run out a few minutes ago to pick up a gargantuan order of sweets from the bakery, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and answered without looking.
“Tell the baker I already paid online-”
“E?” The voice that came through wasn’t Alexander’s. “It’s Anthony.”
“Oh! Anthony!” I straightened, setting down the bottle of bitters I was holding. “Is everything okay? I wasn’t expecting to hear from you.”
“Yes, yes, everything’s fine–well, sort of,” he replied almost hesitantly.
“What’s up?”
There was a pause on the other end before he spoke again. “I know you’ve got an eventing up tonight, but unfortunately ourst blood sample got tainted.”
“Tainted?”
“Yes, there was a minor ident in theb. Tony and I are both okay, but your blood vials shattered, so we lost the samples. Would it be possible for you toe by quickly for another blood draw?”
I paused, drawing my lower lip between my teeth as I looked around the banquet hall. There was still much to be done before tonight, and as the hostess, I needed time to get ready as well. The Anthonies‘ house was almost an hour away from here, so if I factored in all of the travel time… <ul><li>25 Bonus </li></ul>
“It will only take a minute to collect the sample,” Anthony said, as if reading my mind. “We woulde to you, but we prefer to do these things in theb. It’s more sterile, and we have all the equipment we need right here.”
I sighed, deciding to just go for it. “Sure. I’ll be there as soon as possible.”
Within the hour, I was pulling up to the Victorian home once more. Tony wasn’t there, but Anthony prepared my blood draw with efficiency; and, as promised, the blood was collected quickly.
“You took six vials this time,” 1 pointed out as he taped up my arm. “That’s twice as much asst time…”
Anthony nched slightly. “Well, I figured it might be best to have some extra in case of another ident. My husband can be so clumsy sometimes, you know?”
I nodded, but as I moved to stand, my legs felt like jello under me. I swayed, and if it weren’t for Anthony rushing over and easing me back into the chair, I might have copsed.
“Whoa!” Anthony said, looking at me with concern. “Are you alright, E?”
D
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<strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.