Champagne Brunch: The Stiletto Sisters Series by Ainsley Claire (easy readers .txt) 📗

“Well, we figure we’ll see some drop off after tonight, and successive drop off after that, but we hope to have a core group of about a thousand users to gather information with,” I explain.

I don’t realize Sean Grant, my lead developer, has approached until he speaks. “Actually, we think we’ll have about two thousand from this group.”

My palms begin to sweat again, and if I weren’t wearing silk, I’d rub them on my dress. “Wow, no pressure there.”

He winks at me. “Naw. This is the fun part. Data is already beginning to pour in. We’re going to be busy for the next few weeks.”

“Good thing sleep is overrated.” I shrug.

I visit with my married friends, and we end up sharing stories of how we’re managing the FBI asking questions about our relationships with Viviana. It’s clear they’re focusing on Nate and me, which isn’t surprising, but it is disappointing. Jackson teases that we’re probably paying for an exceptionally long and luxurious vacation for Walker Clifton, the US Attorney for the Northern District of California, and his wife, Marci, who happens to be my attorney.

“I say we make a bet on where they’ll be going with all that bonus income,” Landon says as we laugh.

“All right, I’m in for a hundred dollars, and think they’ll go to Bora Bora and stay in the huts on the water,” I offer.

“I’m in,” Caroline says. “I’m going to go for a week in the Champagne region of France.”

There is a collective “Ohhh” from several who know that’s right up Marci’s alley.

Mason turns and looks at Caroline. “My wife is very smart, but I think they’re going to Japan to go skiing.”

By the end, we have all sorts of options. “You may want to check with Elena, Toni, Ryder, and Claire before you leave,” I tell Landon. “I’d bet they have some ideas. They’ve not seen the FBI yet, but they’ve been notified, and Marci is working with them, too.”

“Damn, she’s busy,” Tinsley says.

As the party winds down, people begin filing out to get their free downloads of Flirt. I move to a back room to meet with Sean, where we’ll look through our data and watch people begin to populate the app.

“We had over a hundred couples exchange contact information tonight,” he says as I enter.

I nod. “That’s roughly ten percent, so that’s right with our estimates.”

He walks through the next steps his team and I will be taking tonight and over the weekend, and we agree to meet on Monday afternoon to see where we are.

When we emerge, the main room is nearly empty, except for a few hangers on and several of my friends.

Landon brings out two magnums of champagne. “I thought we could celebrate to your success today.”

My hand goes to my heart. “You’re the sweetest thing ever. Thank you.”

My friends and the guests they brought gather, and glasses of bubbly circulate.

“To Mia and her new adventure! May she flirt her way into many hearts,” Mason toasts.

“Cheers!”

“Thank you all so much for being here tonight. It should be me toasting you. Without your help, I would have had a dozen people show up. Any success I have is because of your love and support.”

We hang out for a while, and I meet several amazing people from around the City.

“Mia, this is Theo King, chief of staff for the Mayor of San Francisco,” Walker says.

“Mia, this is Angela Price. She works for my firm,” Marci says.

“I’d like to introduce you to my head of design, Ginger Andrews,” Caroline says.

“Mia, this is the gentleman I mentioned before, Axel Remington,” Lilly says.

My heart stops beating. With day-old scruff and piercing blue eyes, I’d swear he was related to Chris Evans. I’m sure I blush. “So wonderful to meet you. I’m an amateur sports statistics nerd, and I love watching Jeremy Hamilton. Thank you for bringing him to San Francisco.”

Axel’s eyes grow wide. “You’re welcome. He’s a great guy. I’d be happy to introduce you to him sometime.”

I smile as perspiration rolls down my back. “He doesn’t strike me as a guy who worries about his stats.”

“No, he definitely doesn’t. He’s a good kid with lofty goals that I think he’ll more than meet.”

“Mia, before I head out—” my friend Trinity begins. “Oh hello.” She looks him up and down. “My name is Trinity Buchanan. Are you downloading the Flirt app?”

I try not to show my irritation with her. She’s stunning, with jade green eyes, black hair, and plush lips guys really seem to go for. She’s also a triplet, which gets some guys going, though she and her sisters aren’t that way.

“No, I came with friends,” he says.

“Well, that’s too bad. We could have had a lot of fun.” She licks her lips to tell him exactly what she’s talking about.

Axel smiles.

Trinity kisses both my cheeks. “Tonight was fabulous. I think you have some great men participating. I’ll let you know how my dates go, and I promise to use the app a lot.” She winks at me and waves goodbye.

When I turn back, I’m surprised to find Axel still standing with me. “Sorry about that.”

He widens his stance. “It’s okay. I do plan on downloading the app. But that was an easy out.”

“It’s okay if it isn’t your thing or you’re seeing someone.”

He shakes his head. “I’m not seeing anyone. And if I didn’t download the app, I wouldn’t be able to see you again.”

I look down, and I’m sure I’m turning fifty shades of red. “You could always ask Nate and Lilly for my number.”

“Nate’s technically the boss to my player, and I’d much rather get it from the source so if she isn’t interested, she can tell me and doesn’t