Secrets of the Lotus. Michelle Garren Flye

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      “Knock knock.” Josie poked her head into the cubicle of New York Life’s fashion editor.

      Cindy Rodgers continued her telephone conversation even as she motioned for Josie to come in. “Thanks so much, darling. Uh-huh, kisses to the little ones. Bye now.” She hung up and pinned Josie with a glare. “What the hell did you do last night?”

      “What do you mean? I went to Dan Mason’s birthday party.”

      “That’s not all you did from what I hear. I just got off the telephone with a certain designer whose dress you wore last night. He just happened to be at said party and spotted you and Dan Mason having a private moment in the upstairs hallway, and then he said Dan Mason kissed you at midnight.”

      “What was he doing in the upstairs hallway?”

      “Don’t try to duck the question!” Cindy rose. At five feet, ten inches, she topped many men, especially in her customary three-and-a-half-inch heels. Josie always thought her friend had the same grace as a giraffe swaying above the lowly shrubbery. “What were you doing up there? And what about that kiss? I want all the gory details, girlfriend.”

      Josie laughed. “There are no gory details. He was looking for somebody to kiss to get everybody off his back, I think. And as for the upstairs thing, I went up to look for a bathroom. Dan showed me the, um, right direction.”

      “I’ll bet he did.” Cindy sat again. “Did you see his drunk mother? How about his father? That family has plenty of juicy secrets, I’m sure.”

      “His mother was at the party and gave a toast.” Josie ignored the second question, playing with a stray pencil on Cindy’s desk. “And yes, she was sloshed.” She sighed, thinking of the pained expression on Dan’s face. She wished she didn’t have to include Dan’s mother’s condition in her column. She didn’t want to cause him any more troubles. He certainly had enough to deal with.

      Cindy’s gaze was fixed on her face. “What the hell happened? You’re not telling the whole truth, Josie-girl.”

      “Nothing!” Josie made an impatient movement then hesitated. “Except, well, he invited me to Senator Hill’s benefit on Sunday.”

      “He did what?” Cindy slapped the desk. “Bingo! I knew I’d get it out of you. How is it you have a date with a billionaire and you don’t find it worth mentioning first thing, hmm?”

      “It’s not like a date, really.” Josie tried to sound sure of herself. “He asked if I would be there and when I said no, he said I could come with him.”

      “Which sounds very much like a date to me. You’ll need something fabulous to wear. I’ll get on the phone right now. I saw something the other day that would look darling on you. You’ve got the perfect frame for it.”

      “Cindy, you’re the only person in New York who thinks I’ve got the perfect frame for anything.” Josie kept the panic out of her voice with difficulty. “Make sure the dress is subtle, okay? It’s a benefit for a United States senator, after all. I don’t want to draw any attention.”

      “Sounds like it’s too late for that.” Cindy grinned. “And I doubt very seriously I’m the only person who’s aware of what a beautiful woman you are. In fact, I’d bet Mr. Mason has made note.”

      * * * *

      Josie was familiar with the family’s recent history, but she scanned through some microfiche from twenty years before when Daniel Mason, Sr., was mayor of New York, making notes about his life and career. She paused on a picture of the family. Dan Junior stood beside his father and mother, both young and happy. Josie smiled at resolute young Dan, who had a face full of dreams and promise. “Going to save the world,” she said as she lingered on the picture for a few moments.

      Dan’s younger brother and sister were also in the picture. The brother played with a truck at his older brother’s feet. The sister stood beside her mother, but her gaze was distracted by something out of the frame.

      Scrolling on, Josie found more about the family and saw how it had sadly deteriorated. The sister ran away to get married to a Texas oil tycoon her father disliked. The brother moved to California, where he squandered away a good portion of his money on failed movie projects before finally becoming a mediocre producer of experimental films and documentaries. The best Josie could tell, neither of them had ever come home.

      And Dan. The clips on him were hardly complimentary. Josie knew him by reputation, but somehow these clips about a billionaire playboy and the man she’d seen straighten his father’s tie didn’t jibe. “Who are you, Dan Mason?” She pressed the copy button on the microfiche machine. “Who are you?”

      * * * *

      “Are those the dresses?” Josie eyed the garment bag Cindy carried. She had too much experience with Cindy’s idea of style to be confident about her friend’s selection.

      “Yes, darling.” Cindy draped the bag carefully over the chair in Josie’s living room. “And I wish you’d just let me choose one for you. You forget, I do СКАЧАТЬ