Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 301

The crowd's whistles and shouts came in waves across the packed bar.

On stage, a woman moved with the music, step by step, heading straight for a man in the audience.

Suddenly, with a dramatic flourish, she whipped off her mask and tumbled right into his arms.

There were so many people pressed up against the stage, Sylvia couldn't see either of their faces clearly. But as the man caught the woman, the stage lights caught his wrist-and the glint of his designer watch.

CL.

The initials, spelled out in tiny diamonds, sparkled so brightly that Sylvia recognized them instantly.

Chris Lennon!

Which meant the woman had to be Fanny.

Sylvia never would've guessed that the famous Ms. Lance would go so far as to get up on stage and dance just to impress a guy.

Pocketing her phone, she grabbed her glass of whiskey and slipped through the throng toward Chris and his friends' VIP booth.

Chris really was the boss. His table had the best view in the whole place—not only could you see the stage perfectly, but you could also watch all the action on the dance floor: guys in skinny jeans, girls in cocktail dresses, and everyone in between.

Sylvia glanced over at them.

in all black-black dress shirt open far enough to show off most of his chest, sleeves rolled, looking effortlessly

on his lap, tapping his chest

you and you didn't even bother to

on hers. "Didn't I just

half-empty glass, and—without breaking eye contact— tilted it back, finishing the rest with a bite of the

then, a soft voice chimed

get ahold of him. You're the only one who can drag him out on a night like this. Seriously, think about it has he ever

Bridget,

And while Fanny poured herself another drink, Bridget and Chris exchanged a look-a lingering,

gaze was half-annoyed, mostly

snuggled closer to Chris, whispering near his lips, "Is what Bridget said

he didn't pull away either. Their faces were so close, they practically shared a

you think?"

kiss—just as Chris picked up

and held it to her

favorite. I asked the kitchen to prep

took a

started to hoot and tease them. Bridget just sipped her cranberry juice, eyes drifting back again and again to Chris her innocent gaze glossy under the neon lights, soft and a

friends, even describing him as a "no-strings" kind of

had her

set down her glass and stood