The Mirror - Page 185

“I think it’s finished. Letting it sit now, and I started another. I’ll be down in two minutes.”

Sonya heard the front door open, then Trey and Owen walked in.

Both men wore suits. She couldn’t say why she found that so endearing.

Trey took one look at her. “Wow. If we didn’t have a reason to celebrate, I do now. You look amazing.”

“I feel the same.”

Owen’s gaze lifted as Cleo came down the stairs. Tilting her head, she crossed to him. “Don’t I look amazing?”

“You always do.”

“Clever man,” she murmured. “Man in a suit.”

“Only under duress.”

“Duress looks good on you.”

She ran a finger down his tie, and laughed when Clover played “Sharp Dressed Man.”

As celebrations went, Sonya decided this one topped her current list. A couple of sharp-dressed men, a restaurant with a stunning view of the water, crystal sparkling in candlelight, and the delight of a bottle of champagne.

“This is beautiful. Really beautiful.”

She tore her gaze from the view long enough to glance around. The white linen, the quietly flickering tea lights, servers in formal black, the whisper of music all combined in elegance.

“Trey figured pizza and beer didn’t hit the mark.”

“Not this time.” Trey lifted his glass. “To a job well done, a victory well earned.”

“Thank you. And here’s to all of you for playing a part in it.”

“Tell them about the bonus round,” Cleo insisted. “Son’s not petty enough to consider it a bonus, but I am. The asshole overplayed his hand.”

“I actually am petty enough. Someone overheard his hallway bullshit, and it made the rounds, I guess.”

After she’d told them, Owen added another toast. “Almost as good as a punch in the face.”

“I want to know if he tries to come back at you,” Trey reminded her.

“I will, but… I see him in a hot-air balloon, and the wind is taking it farther and farther away. I can barely see it now.” She narrowed her eyes. “You know, I think it’s sprung a leak, and look at those clouds! Oops, now it’s gone.”

She sipped champagne.

“He will not be missed.”

They drank champagne, ate perfectly prepared food.

“I can see why Bree wants these crab cakes at the Event.” Sonya offered Trey a bite. “I’ve never had better. They do a mini version, so that’s what we’re having. And their mini beef tourtierès.”

“What the hell is that?” Owen asked.

“I admit I had to look it up. It’s like a little pastry.”

“Fancy stuff,” Trey commented.

“We’re also having pizza bites, jalapeño hush puppies—”