A little later, Julian excused himself and entered the private VIP lounge with two investors. The glass doors swung closed behind them. Chloe watched until he disappeared. Her expression changed so quickly that I wondered whether anyone else had seen it. First came surprise, then disappointment, and finally a hard stillness around her mouth. She had expected an invitation. She had not received one.
She remained near the doors for a moment as though he might return for her. When it became clear that he would not, she straightened her shoulders and turned back toward the terrace. The silver sequins caught the light again, but the polished smile did not quite reach her eyes. She looked at me with the focused irritation of someone who had failed at something important and needed another person to blame.
I was still near the railing. Mara passed with fresh drinks, and I thanked her before declining another glass. She glanced toward Chloe, then back at me. Her expression became uneasy. "Ma'am, would you like me to bring you anything?" she asked. It was an ordinary offer, but the concern in her voice made me think she wanted a reason to linger.
"No, thank you," I said. "I'm perfectly comfortable."
Mara hesitated. Another guest called for service, and she had to move away. I watched her go, then placed my own glass on a table beside the railing. The city looked beautiful beneath the clear night sky. Traffic flowed along the avenues in steady ribbons of white and red. A distant airplane crossed between illuminated towers. From that height, the world seemed almost orderly, each moving light following a path that made sense.
I was trying to hold on to that peaceful feeling when I heard the sound of high heels approaching. They struck the marble in brisk, deliberate taps. The steps slowed, then stopped beside me. I already knew who had arrived before she spoke.
"Well, hello there," Chloe said.
I turned. She stood only a few feet away, close enough that I could see the tiny stones embroidered into her gown and the flawless line of her lipstick. In one hand she held a tall crystal glass filled with a dark red cocktail, a twist of orange peel resting against the rim. She was smiling with the same practiced sweetness I had seen her use around Julian. The difference was that this time, the smile contained no warmth at all.
"Oh, honey," she said, "are you enjoying yourself?"
"Yes, thank you. It's a lovely evening."
She looked at me as though my answer disappointed her. "Really? Because you seem rather lonely standing here all by yourself."
"I've been enjoying the view."
Chloe turned toward the skyline, gave the buildings a brief, dismissive glance, then looked back. "How charming."
For a moment, neither of us spoke. I waited for the conversation to end naturally, but she stepped closer instead. Her perfume was strong, expensive, and slightly sweet. It seemed to arrive before the rest of her. Behind us, people were still talking, yet several nearby voices had grown quieter. I could tell that her tone was attracting an audience.