Later that evening, Derek stood before the full-length mirror in his dressing room and adjusted his collar one final time, smoothed the front of his black jacket, and checked his watch. Quarter past six.
The fundraiser's main auction began at seven, which gave him enough time to arrive before the room filled properly, before Kira had to stand at the front of it alone with only Connor at her back. For some reason, he didn't feel very comfortable leaving her alone, knowing the calibre of people that would be there.
Derek turned from the mirror and headed for the grand staircase. His mind was already at the event, imagining the look on Kira's face when he arrived.
He was halfway down the stairs when the heavy front doors swung open, admitting a gust of evening air and the floral scent of a perfume he knew all too well.
