☓ open ☓
Never assume that Angel Beckett went anywhere unarmed. Not even to this fancy party that she didn’t want to go to in the first place. She owed Alex more than one favor, though, despite the aura she consistently gave off around him. She trusted Alexander, she actually listened to Alexander, and when Alexander told her that she had to be at the Golightly party, she obeyed.
That didn’t mean that she was going to enjoy herself, though. There were far too many faces that looked just a little too familiar to her. People who she recognized but couldn’t quite pinpoint. And she knew she couldn’t revolve solely around Alex or Ray the entire night. They had their own ideas of what was going to happen at the party that didn’t involve Angel.
Thank god for an open bar. She frequently spent money on drinks, but at least this was an opportunity to get something strong without paying for it. “Top-shelf whiskey,” she ordered, paying no attention to the people around her - better to not recognize anyone, and better to keep them from recognizing her.
Never assume that Juliet went anywhere without a book. Not even to this fancy party that she didn’t want to go to in the first place.
She’d taken a quick peek at the petting zoo and then squirreled away in one of the corners to occupy herself with her novel. Yes, she was only here cause Alex had asked her to be and yes, she was supposed to be keeping an eye out for those diamonds - but that was a rather easy puzzle wasn’t it? One of them was certainly on Bunny Golighty’s finger. That ring? Easily worth millions. And you could see its gleam a mile away.
A few chapters in Juliet considered treating herself to a drink. She gathered up her heels, which she had kicked off, and her dress and her book and made her way over to the open bar. But even with the extra two inches her shoes gave her, Juliet found it hard to catch the bartender’s attention. Ten minutes later she still waited patiently, awkwardly raising a hand every time they passed.
It was the familiar voice that made her turn. Ms. Beckett! And look at that! She already had the bartender’s attention. Maybe she could help.
“Ms. Beckett! Hi!” Juliet piped up. “Can I - uh -” She licked her lips out of nervous habit. Always the nervous one, asking for favors. “Ask you a favor? When the bartender comes back, may I have your help in grabbing his attention? I haven’t had much luck. And I know, he’s probably busy. There are so many people here tonight, but...”
She let her words trail off. Her hands played with the corners of her book and her eyes snapped up, remembering her manners.
“It’s nice to see you here!” She added quickly. “You look lovely.”



















