They knew each other from a university event that had been organized several months back, when classes started, and Jade had been asked to be amongst a small group of students who could advocate for a fresh round of funding from the university’s donors. She walked over now, intending to shake the elegant woman’s hand, but the woman offered her cheek instead, so Jade bent to give her a quick peck on the cheek and then shook the offered hand of the woman’s husband. They exchanged small talk while Fabienne tapped away on her cell, Jade could see from the corner of her eye.

Fabienne was signaling something to Jade, so Jade excused herself.

Fabienne said excitedly, “Mom and dad are in a table that’s on the left side of the room, pretty tucked away in the fifth row of tables, I think. They said we have a really good table here.”

Jade gave her a small smile. “Well, we can go join them, if you want. Swap places with other people there…”

A slight frown crossed Fabienne’s face, “Are you kidding? We have great seats here. And we’ll get to see a lot of the crème dela crème from here. Let’s stay.”

She sat down at the place setting where her name plate had been set.

Jade shrugged and was about to take a seat when she heard a half-cry.

“Jade! Jade!”

I’ll know that voice anywhere.

“Rian! Oh, my gosh! What … why… how…” Jade sputtered as she whipped around, and walked excitedly in Rian’s direction.

They covered the space between them eagerly and when they neared each other, Jade swept Rian up in a tight embrace, half spinning her around in her excitement.

A man was following close behind, a thoroughly surprised look on his face.

Clearly delighted, Rian leaned slightly on Jade, who automatically draped an arm over her shoulder as she did, after her feet touched the floor again. The brunette smiled broadly at the man, and said in a breathless voice, “Dan! I’d like you to meet Jade.”

Recognition crossed his face and he smiled broadly also. He shook the offered hand. He was surprised to see Jade was as tall as he was, and looked slightly more mannish than the picture Rian had shown him. Especially in that sharply tailored tux. Looks molded to her. And, damn, that suit really brings out her latent sexuality.   Broad shoulders, tapering to a slim waist, long legs encased in those narrow silk pants. When she was walking towards us, she moved with athleticism and grace, and in that white suit, she made an observer think of a snow leopard loping over the snow.   And those eyes!