Flash

served.
    It was a grueling contract for an event design and production company, but a lucrative one.
    Olivia cast a critical eye across the dazzling scene that her staff had created.
    The heavily laden buffet tables displaying Silver Galaxy's gourmet food products were covered with silver-foiled cloths trimmed with tinsel fringe. Guests chose caviar and canapés from silver serving dishes. Silver candles stood tall in elegant silver candelabra.
    The walls were covered in shimmering foiled paper. Mirrored spheres reminiscent of those that hung in swing-era ballrooms dangled from the ceiling. Their glittering surfaces reflected the silvery light.
    Madeline Silverthorne, her opera diva figure resplendent in a silver lame gown that accented her silver-gray hair, joined Olivia. Her gaze rested approvingly on the massive silver vase filled with foil flowers in the center of the room.
    "Fabulous," she said. "And so elegant. Just right for our company image."
    There was nothing like a satisfied client, Olivia thought.
    "The event firm I hired last year refused to pay any attention to my requests," Madeline continued. "The person I dealt with actually had the nerve to tell me that so much silver foil and tinsel would be tacky. Can you imagine?"
    Olivia suppressed the memory of the day her entire staff had lined up in front of her desk to tell her the same thing.
    "
It's going to look like the inside of an aluminum foil factory
,"
Matty announced
.
    Bolivar frowned. "Kinda bright, don't you think? The guests will need shades
."
    "It will be a bit, er, bright, dear," Zara said.
    "
I doubt that there's enough aluminum foil in all of Seattle to pull this off," Bernie said. "Probably have to import some from Bellevue
."
    "I can't imagine why the other firm had a problem with your silver concept," Olivia murmured. "My staff very much enjoyed working on this project. They felt that it allowed them to release their creative energies."
    Madeline looked pleased. "I can see that. What a difference between this year's Silver Galaxy Foods Night and last year's. I intend to tell Charlie that we will definitely use Light Fantastic again next year."
    It would definitely be tacky to pump one fist in the air and holler
yes
in a very loud voice, Olivia decided. She restrained herself. She gave Madeline a smile that held, she hoped, just the right degree of businesslike warmth.
    "I'm glad that you're happy with the final result, Mrs. Silverthorne. Light Fantastic's goal is always a satisfied client."
    Madeline studied the array of servers lined up behind the buffet table. "It was a stroke of genius to put all the waiters in silver lame jackets and ties. Whose idea was that?"
    "I believe it was Bolivar who came up with the suggestion." Olivia decided not to mention that Bolivar had intended it as a joke. As soon as Bolivar had said it, however, she had instantly implemented it. "I'll tell him you appreciated it."
    "We must remember to do it again next year. I also like what you did in the dance lounge with those intertwining silver ropes—" Madeline broke off to smile at someone who had come up behind Olivia. "Jasper, dear. How good to see you. So glad you could make it."
    "Thanks for letting me crash your party at the last minute, Maddy."
    "Now, Jasper, you know perfectly well that you're always welcome. I'm delighted you could make it this year."
    Olivia whirled around to stare at Jasper. She did not bother to conceal her astonishment.
    "I didn't know you would be here tonight." She realized that she sounded less than gracious. She could not help it. She was irritated that he had not mentioned he planned to attend.
    She had to admit that he looked remarkably at ease and wonderfully sexy in the classic power suit, a tuxedo. The black jacket hugged the strong line of his shoulders. He looked amused by the frosty expression Olivia knew was in her eyes.
    "I told you I had an invitation."
    "Yes, but I thought you said—" Belatedly Olivia recalled Madeline's presence. She hurriedly swallowed the rest of her words. No need to let her client know that Jasper had told her only a few days ago that he did not plan to be here this evening. She wondered what had changed his mind. She had a feeling that he did not do anything without a clear-cut reason.
    "Thought I'd see what kind of work my new business partner did." Jasper glanced casually around at the sparkling scene. "Very impressive. I'm surprised you didn't issue sunglasses at the door."
    The dry