Divine Party Read Online Free PDF

no one asked her outright what was going on.
    Not that she knew.
    Kenshin wrapped the blindfold around her eyes and whispered into her ear, “No peeking.”
    “What floor?” Someone—a man—asked.
    Now. Now she’d learn something about this mysterious date.
    Kenshin didn’t reply to her question.
    The elevator lurched upward without him disclosing their designated floor. Damn. She waited in darkness. Kenshin’s hands weighed heavy on her shoulders. The urge to lean her head back and rest in his comforting embrace came over her, but that would invite temptation. He felt solid and so good. As the elevator doors continued to open and close, Dante had no idea if more people came in or how many left. She tried to discern voices, but some people didn’t speak. So, she gave up and gave in to trusting Kenshin.
    His lips brushed her ear. “Just a few moments more.”
    “Until?”
    “Until we get there.”
    “Come on.”
    “Shush. Trust me.” He planted a soft kiss on her lobe before relinquishing it with a sigh.
    “Here we go.” He spun her around just as a cool rush of air brushed her face. Not removing the blindfold, he guided her as he walked, and she didn’t know how far he led her.
    At some point, he stopped. “And here we are.”
    Her hands grabbed the blindfold seconds before he released the knot. It fell into her open palms.
    “No. Way.” Dante’s throat had gone dry.
    “Surprise!” roared a room full of people—no, several groups of people all seated at swanky tables and dressed in formal attire. Not another damn party.
    “Kenshin?” She let him take her hand and lead her through the room. She barely felt his hand because of the numbness. The doors closed in a hush behind them.
    “I’m sure you don’t want to attend another party, but this one is not like those.” Kenshin gestured to the people.
    “No?” Dante bit her lip to keep the sarcasm from poisoning the cheery face beaming at her.
    “No, this isn’t a retirement party either.”
    Dante could see this clearly was a party. The absolute last thing she wanted to be involved in. Hell, she would’ve rather had gone to the observation deck for the one millionth time! This had to be the worst date she’d been on in a long time.
    When she opened her mouth to tell him so, Kenshin said, “It’s your rebirth gathering.”
    At this the crowd erupted with applause. The string quartet started playing and the event appeared to launch into festive mode.
    Dante cringed. “Rebirth?”
    “Yes. There are many lives lived within one human life. You’ve been reborn now. No longer a pleasure party planner.”
    True.
    But what was she if not the famous and fabulous Dante Divine? She ran her hands over her midnight-blue cocktail dress. Now she understood why he’d insisted she dress up.
    “Who are these people?”
    Kenshin smiled. “The lovely lady in lavender is your mother.”
    “Momma?” Dante couldn’t believe it. Sure enough, seated at a table closest to the window and in a conversation with someone who looked a lot like Dante’s former high school English teacher, Ms. Divine resembled a regal queen. Lavender two-piece suit and a big, wide-brimmed matching hat dressed with a silk ribbon and fat purple flower. Her momma looked ready for church, as did Ms. Mitchell, her former English teacher.
    She went to her momma’s table.
    “Hey, baby!” Her momma hugged her closely.
    “What are you doing here?” She smelled like fresh cut flowers.
    “I’m here to launch your new life and career.”
    “Career?” Dante looked at Kenshin.
    Her momma sheepishly grinned at her and then at Kenshin. “Did I say too much?”
    “No, ma’am.”
    “You know my momma?” Dante looked from one to the other. Clearly they’d met and talked.
    “It’s good to see you, and you’ve grown into quite the beautiful woman,” Ms. Mitchell said. She stood up and hugged Dante.
    “Thank you.” Dante released her and searched the other faces seated at tables and