14. Sean
SEAN
C assie’s expecting me at their suite in ten minutes, but that was never the real plan. Instead, Christian will meet them, explaining that I’m running late and will see them at the magic show. That gives Lowri and me time here at the Olympic Torch Bar to oversee the last-minute party arrangements.
I’m jaded from growing up under the neon lights of Las Vegas and Dad’s tendency toward perfection.
However, the décor vastly exceeds even my expectations.
Despite little advance warning, they’ve turned this place into a miniature version of the Magic Castle, an exclusive, private magic club in Los Angeles.
It’s dark and mysterious while still welcoming.
There’s even a magic word required to enter.
And the lounge is buzzing with people ready to welcome Cassie back to Vegas for her month as guest chef of the Grand Athena’s Pinot & Pie restaurant.
As Lowri and I do a final walk through the venue, I ask, “Have we missed anything?”
“I don’t think so. Amy did an excellent job.”
“You did an outstanding job too. You’re the one who selected everything. Evan will be happy that it’s refined and elegant. I suspect he wanted your help for fear I’d plan something less appropriate.”
“He did say not to let you turn it into a frat party like you guys had in college.” She laughs.
“He forgets that I’m no longer a twenty-one-year-old, but I’m not complaining that Evan arranged for you to arrive early. You’ve been a tremendous partner this week,” I tease.
She playfully punches my upper arm, saying, “I’m sure you wouldn’t have spent the week alone. It has been fun though, except for the end of the show last night. And of course, the marriage part. Get that fixed.”
“It’s under control. Emily scheduled a call with my lawyer for tomorrow morning. It will be resolved soon. There’s no reason to worry.”
“I know. I’m just kicking myself for not reading the forms we signed. Can you imagine the crap I’d get at my law firm for that? God, I hope they never find out.”
“I doubt they will. On a lighter note, do you think Cassie will be surprised?”
“Absolutely. She’ll also be a little overwhelmed that Evan did something this extravagant for her. She hasn’t had a man in her life who put her first and made her feel special in a long time.”
I almost miss the fleeting look of longing that passes over her face. It’s swiftly replaced with her normal, cheery smile.
Amy approaches as my phone dings.
Christian: I’m at the Monarch Suite now. We’ll be there in less than 15 minutes.
Me: Got it.
“They’re on their way. Does everyone know what to do?” I ask.
Amy nods. “We have a lookout watching the Grand Staircase to alert us when they arrive. We’re ready.”
“Surprise!” we shout in unison as Cassie and Evan enter the lounge.
Cassie scrunches her eyes in the dim light, looking mystified. Evan whispers in her ear. She turns quickly, wrapping her arms around him as reality dawns that the party is in her honor.
By the time she pulls away, Lowri and I are standing in front of them. I notice Evan, giving me an odd look. That’s when it hits me that my arm’s wrapped tightly around Lowri’s waist. It’s become unconscious. When we’re this close, I can’t help touching her.
Cassie gasps, throwing her arms around her best friend and pulling Lowri out of my grasp.
“Lowri, you’re here! I didn’t know if you got my invitation to join us this weekend. Wait a minute. Were you in on this?” Cassie asks.
“This was all Evan’s idea. Sean and I merely helped with the details.”
Cassie met most of the party guests on her last visit to the Grand Athena.
They take turns greeting her as the servers meander through the crowd handing out drinks and appetizers.
We kept the group reasonably small, but there are still forty to fifty people here between the film crew, hotel staff, cooking competition judges, and even the police detective who played a role in the events that brought Evan and Cassie together.
Between the upbeat background music and chatter among the guests, the party is a success.
We’ve all been eating, drinking, and talking for about twenty minutes when the music grows softer, and our attention shifts to the stage where a spotlight illuminates Amy.
She steps up to the microphone, saying, “Everyone, thank you for being here to celebrate Cassandra Upton’s debut as guest chef of the Grand Athena’s Pinot & Pie restaurant.
Let’s give her a big round of applause.”
The crowd cheers and claps loudly.
Amy continues, “Now, it’s time for tonight’s entertainment. Please take your seats. The magic show starts in five minutes.”
“You mean, there really is a magic show? It wasn’t a ruse to get me to the party?” Cassie asks.
“Of course there’s a magic show. Evan insisted on one,” I say, grabbing Lowri’s hand and guiding our foursome to the reserved table near the small, slightly elevated stage.
The Virtuoso of Magic doesn’t disappoint. He even levitates a server while she balances a tray of drinks.
When the server is safely back on the ground and the applause tapers off, the magician says, “I’m going to need a little help from the audience for my next trick. I understand that our guest of honor tonight is Chef Cassie. Where are you?”
Lowri quickly points to Cassie, calling out, “She’s here.”
“Excellent. Cassie, would you be willing to assist me with the next illusion?”
She doesn’t immediately react, so he says to the audience, “Let’s give her a little encouragement.”
Clapping and chants of “Cassie, Cassie, Cassie,” follow as Evan stands to help her up.
When she reaches the stage, the magician pulls a long-stemmed, red rose from behind his back, offering it to her. “A rose for the lovely lady.”
“Thank you,” she replies, smiling as she sniffs the petals.
“You know, this trick will be easier with a second person. Can we talk your date into helping us out? Can you point him out to me?”
“He’s over there,” she says, pointing to where Evan is sitting at our table.
“Sir, would you mind joining us on the stage?”
Evan shrugs. “Why not?” He stands and walks to the stage as the crowd claps.
“Please stand facing each other about two feet apart,” the magician says, and they comply.
“Evan, please hold your left arm out, palm up.”
“Like this?”
“Exactly. Cassie, hold the rose in front of you in your right hand, and please keep your eyes on Evan’s left hand while everyone counts to three. Are you ready?”
“I’m ready,” Cassie says, smiling with anticipation.
“Everyone, I’ll need your help with counting down from three. After we reach one, we’ll all shout the password you used to enter tonight. Are you ready?”
The audience murmurs a soft “Yes.”
“You can do better than that. ARE YOU READY?”
A resounding “Yes!” erupts in response.
“That’s more like it. Here we go. THREE! … TWO! … ONE! … Shazam!”
A puff of white smoke instantly covers Evan’s left palm. When it dissipates, he’s holding a small, purple, velvet pillow with a large ring perched on top. In a single fluid motion, he sinks to one knee.
The audience gasps in unison.
You’ve got to be kidding!
My bachelor friend is proposing.
“Cassandra, when we met here about five months ago, you were unexpected. You mesmerized me and enchanted me from the first time we crossed paths. I had come here looking for something to give real meaning to my life. I didn’t know if I’d find it, but I did.
It’s you. You fill me with love, purpose, and a path forward that I can’t imagine taking without you.
Will you marry me and be my princess?” Evan asks.
Cassie says, “Yes. Yes. A million times yes,” as she stares at him with a look of shock, awe, and adoration.
Evan stands, sliding the ring onto her finger and pulling her in for a long kiss.
I’m still processing this totally unexpected development when the magician says, “Please join me in congratulating Prince Evan and the soon-to-be Princess Cassandra of Catalinius. Turning a lovely lady into a real princess. How’s that for a little magic?
I can’t top that trick, so that concludes the show for tonight.
Thank you for being here. I’m told a round of champagne is being delivered to everyone compliments of His Royal Highness. Enjoy the rest of your evening!”
With a big puff of smoke, The Virtuoso of Magic disappears.
Why the hell does Evan want to get married? Hell, I don’t even understand why he wants to be in a relationship. That’s not for me. No. Never.
Then it hits me.
Shit. I already did. I’m married to Lowri.
That doesn’t count. I didn’t do it on purpose.