"Tonight's engagement banquet is short a server for the wine. Send her."
Vivienne blinked. Then a knowing smile crept across her face.
"You always did know how to play. Making her watch us get engaged is so much better than making her scrub shoes."
She bent low, her lips brushing my ear.
"Remember to wear the staff uniform, dear sister. I arranged a little surprise just for you."
Vivienne had the floor supervisor issue me a uniform personally.
It was a black dress with the entire back cut away, the hem barely covering the tops of my thighs. The slightest bend would leave nothing to the imagination.
"Isn't that Stella Graves? She used to act so high and mighty. Now she's selling herself?"
"Got kicked out ages ago. She's just a waitress now."
"God, those legs though. Always thought she was a knockout. If I could get my hands on her for one night..."
Vivienne stood in the center of the grand hall on Howard's arm, basking in congratulations from every guest in the room. Howard remained detached as ever, taking the occasional sip of wine, but his gaze kept drifting, almost involuntarily, toward the corner where I stood.
Every time his eyes swept over me, goosebumps prickled up my spine.