Page 54 (1/2)

It’s a little unsettling

But not nearly so unsettling as the other type of partygoer who keeps pulling Josh aside Society girls The fehter – but with a drive that’s both alarh They flirt I eat more canapés They tower over e to tower over h their confidence alone A brunette with an unwinterlike tan does a particularly swell job of pretending that I don’t exist Her hand touches the sleeve of Josh’s jacket twice

After the third sleeve-touch, Josh makes our excuses and steers us away But even that doesn’t stop her frohout the roocountless conversations in which I ae copper…vat? I read the sign Baptismal font Unexpectedly, I’nore lasses of wine They’re relaxed and happy Mrs Wasserstein even coer interrupts us, some famous journalist, and then the pushy brunette re-approaches Josh from behind She stands in a way that forces hi, which

The journalist envelops Josh’s parents in a conversation about tax incentives They glance at, feeling duhs Josh turns his head to shootwere fine

We’ve only been here for two hours, but I’aze She’s giving " face, and I’ on here Even if she is woven

Josh finally cuts off the brunette, and his father sweeps him back into their conversation "I’ out"

What now? I perk up

The senator looks disappointed "Come by the house for dinner this week," he tells et to know you"

I’ with them unprotected by a public safety net "Thank you I’d like that"

"Marvellous seeing you again" Mrs Wasserstein gives h, but the war you, too Thank you for inviting ht hoet some real food first But I’ll probably still beat you back"

"Is Brian taking you?"

"I just texted hirins

She snatches it back, but she’s soodbye "Pickpocket"

"Warden"

It’s the first Josh-like exchange that I’ve heard in a while His h by his answers, so he puts an are," I say, theht"

He yanks away his ar position "Sorry, I didn’t mean--"

"No, I know It was the environht?" He gestures towards the fading laughter and string quartet