Stephanie Julian - By Private Invitation

Writing is such a solitary endeavor but publishing is not.

Thank you, Leis, for seeing what I see in this story. And for what I didnt.

Thank you, Elaine, for your rock-steady guidance.

Thank you, Judi, just because.

Thank you, Deb, for the shoulder to whine on.

Thank you to the women of VFRW, who are always there with hugs and cheers and stickers and chocolate.

And thank you to my sons, who know I still love them even when I dont always feed them.

Jesus, I really hope I dont get arrested for indecent exposure. Could you have made my neckline any lower, Kate?

Staring into the mirrored doors as they waited for the elevator in Haven Hotel, Annabelle Elder barely recognized herself. If not for the pale green eyes and the auburn hair, she wouldnt have.

The woman in the reflection looked freaking amazing with her overflowing breasts and miles of leg. But she didnt look like any version of the Annabelle she thought she knew.

Of course I could have, Kate Song huffed. But then you would have been arrested. Stop fussing. You look fine, Annabelle.

Kate reached out to fluff Annabelles skirt for the hundredth time, exposing more thigh than Beyonc on Grammy night.

Enough already. Annabelle swatted at Kates hands. I barely recognize myself as it is.

Well, that was the point, wasnt it? A new you.

Annabelle pulled a face at her best friend. Yes, yes. Shed said that, but

Hey! She yelped and grabbed her skirt as Kate pulled it higher on her thighs. Do you want me to get arrested for soliciting? Gary the Asshole would love to see me locked away.

Oh, please. Kate sighed loudly but stepped back, moving her straight black hair off her shoulders. That jerk deserved whatever you threw at him. She paused and Annabelle glanced up to see Kates grin. Including his file cabinet.

Annabelles nose wrinkled. Too bad it only grazed his shoulder, the ass.

She wished shed taken the two-timing jerks head off with the thing. Or aimed a little lower and caught his dangling bits. Little itty-bitty bits thatd been on full display three weeks ago when shed caught the bastard with his head between his secretarys legs.

Kate snapped the elasticized hem of Annabelles off-the-shoulder sleeve, pain zinging up her arm.

Ow! She turned to Kate with a frown. What was that for?

That jerks not worth one more second of your time. Kate flicked her on the shoulder for good measure. Except to thank him for busting you out of a rut. Think of tonight as your coming-out party.

Annabelle tried to take a deep, calming breath but could barely manage against the tight lacing. Ill be coming out of this dress if I breathe too deeply.

The matching silk-and-satin fairy costumes created by Kate were masterpieces. But where Kates blue bodice had a demure little dip in the front, Annabelles green one angled down nearly to her belly button. Kates short, filmy skirt hit just above her knee. Annabelles barely made it to mid-thigh. She was afraid to look at her rear view again. The skirt was a little longer in back so she wasnt showing off her ass, left naked by a green satin thong, but still

Thank God for big-busted pop singers and all those rappers who love big-ass girls, Annabelle said with a sigh.

Oh, please. Kate snorted. Youve got a great figure.

Yeah, if she was one of the women in her Victorian erotic art collection. She loved those paintings, not only for their unabashed sexuality but because those women werent skinny little girls with no tits or ass. Both of which she had in abundance.

Not that shed ever flashed so much of it. Her friends and neighbors in Adamstown would be scandalized if they saw her now. They only knew quiet, sedate Annabelle whod been so damn busy keeping her business afloat for the past year. Poor, stupid Annabelle who shouldve dumped Gary the Asshole long ago.

At least she no longer resembled that girl. Rita Shumacher had quivered with joy from her platinum beehive to her open-toed Manolo knockoffs when Annabelle had told her to cut off her waist-length braid. Then the sixty-something hairdresser had worked her magic and tamed the remaining unruly mass into sleek curls that just brushed her shoulders.

Now Annabelle looked sexy. Confident. Ready to find a man to share her bed and her fantasies for the night before reality returned Monday morning.

Kate yanked on the laces on the back of her dress, making Annabelle squeak.

I know what youre thinking and you can stop right now, Kate said. No business tonight.

Annabelle sighed. I know, but dont you dare.

Kate gave an eye-roll worthy of a teenager as her hand froze midway to Annabelles hem.

You know, Kate said, a distinct challenge in her tone, if you want to chicken out, we dont have to go to the party. Im only here to keep you company. I dont need a man. I already have a fianc.

The two tickets for the New Years Eve Masquerade at Haven Hotel in Philadelphia had cost a small fortune. More than Annabelle ever wouldve considered spending for any party.

Shed seen the ad boasting gourmet food, fine champagne, live music, and a night to remember in a piece of newspaper wrapping an antique vase months ago. Shed thought that it sounded like fun, but dismissed it because Gary would never agree to go, the cheapskate. After shed dumped him, shed called for tickets.

The bell dinged and the elevator doors opened, whisking away her reflection as they stepped into the empty cage for the ride to the lobby.

Annabelle squared her shoulders. Were going. And I will have fun tonight. Its been too long since I had a good time. No one knows me here. I can flirt with a gorgeous guy, dance all night. Maybe even get laid. She looked down at Kate. Do you know how long its been since I had good sex?

Her best friend since college, Kate had her Korean fathers dark eyes and his sleek, straight hair. The rest of her was pure Italian from her late mother. The combination gave her an exotic beauty that always made Annabelle feel like a limp dishrag next to her.

If they hadnt been best friends since their freshman year at Gettysburg College, Annabelle would try to hate her. But Kate was too nice to hate. Even with her sharp tongue, occasional foul mood, and inexplicable taste in fiancs.

Unfortunately, yes, Kate said. I know how long you went out with Gary.

Well, Im sick of being plain, pathetic Annabelle. Tonight, Im going to be fun, flirty Annabelle.

At least, Im going to try.

The door opened again, depositing them in the sinfully elegant lobby of Haven Hotel, and Annabelle touched the antique pin on her bodice for luck. The six-carat, teardrop-shaped orange citrine glowed as if lit from within.

Her grandfather had given it to her a decade ago. After her world had collapsed.

No second thoughts. Annabelle nodded. Its a new year.

Good for you. Kate smacked her on the rear, making Annabelle laugh as they stepped out of the elevator. Now get out there and get laid.

Jared Golden loved beautiful women, cold champagne, and the hum of a well-run party.

Not always in that order.

Tonight, it was the reverse.

From his vantage point at the Italian marble bar in the second-floor ballroom, he surveyed Haven Hotels annual New Years Eve Masquerade.

Excited laughter filled the air, along with good music, the mouth-watering aroma of gourmet food, and dry-mouthed sensuality. Beneath it all, he heard a satisfied hum.