"Not to mention another soul ready to party on Thursday evening." Toby does a little dance in his chair. "Are you ready, Freddie?"
"Yes," I say weakly. "I was born ready."
Toby grips the conference badge hanging on a lanyard around my neck, turning it one way and then the other. "It still looks pretty good."
"It does not," I protest. "It looks like it's taken a dip in a cup of coffee, because it has."
"Well, it sort of works with your dress. It's blush-colored."
"It's supposed to be peach." I reach out and put a hand on Toby's shoulder. "I really appreciate the pep talk, but let's face it. I'm just going to have to give up on the idea of one day framing this."
He laughs. "Can you imagine the sociopath who would do that?"
"You mean me?"
"If the shoe fits," he says, leaning on the high drinks table we're standing by. Not fifteen minutes after the last workshop ended, and the conference hall had been transformed into a professional meet-and-greet.
"Where's Quentin?"
"Off networking," Toby says, waving a dismissive hand.
I raise an eyebrow at him. "Quentin? Networking?"
"He's good at schmoozing when he wants to be. Others, like me, aren't."
"Toby, you're the most sociable person I know."
"Yes, but see, that's the problem." He raises his glass of wine to me in triumph. "I'm unable to be anyone but who I am, and in places like this, no one's really interested in getting to know you. They just want to get to know the you that will help them get ahead."
"Wow. That was astoundingly cynical."
He grins at me. "I'm only two years older than you, Freddie, and yet so much wiser."
"And so humble," I laugh, raising my wineglass to his. It's the one free drink included in our conference package, but I already see attendees heading to the bar to pay for their second.
"So?" he asks. "What did you think of your first day?"
I mimic wiping sweat off my brow, and he grins. "Yeah, Strategy is always sent to every single meeting, just in case there are new tactics to pick up on."
"Eleanor asked me to go to two workshops. At the same time. When I pointed out that I couldn't, she actually growled down at her phone."
He snorts. "Yeah, the bosses get a bit intense here. This is where they recruit new clients and do a bit of schmoozing themselves."
My eyes catch on a familiar figure over Toby's shoulder, far in the distance. Quentin. His gaze is fixed on us… or at least on Toby. There are none of the usual traces of wryness on his face. As soon as he catches me watching, he turns, disappearing into the mingling crowd.
"Uh-oh," Toby says by my side, obvious relish in his voice. "Your date is coming our way."
"Luke, at eleven o'clock."
"I didn't think Sales would be here."
"Love will find a way," Toby teases, too loud for my liking, and then Luke reaches us. He gives us both a wide grin and runs a hand over his short hair.
"Of course Strategy is here," he says.
"You know it." I raise my glass to his. We've texted a bit after our day spent in New York, but I've made it clear that I'm only looking for friendship.
"Sales made it too?" Toby asks.
"Yeah, it was a last-minute thing. Not planned or anything, but when my boss asked me, I jumped at the chance." He moves next to me, our elbows touching.
"Of course you did," I joke. "Who can resist twelve-hour workdays and lanyards?"
"Don't forget a complimentary drink," Toby points out. "That's key."
"But only one," I say. "We don't want attendees getting rowdy."
Toby rolls his eyes. "God, I can't wait to get rowdy. There's a bar next to the hotel… so you know where people will migrate when this is done."
"And they'll be paying for it tomorrow," Luke says with a chuckle, looking over at me. "Think you'll join?"
I shrug. "Probably, but I won't be out late."
"You're so young," Toby says. "So idealistic, so motivated. I remember those days."
I grin at him. "Sorry, I forgot how cynical you've become."
"I'm the worst."
"Well, maybe not the worst," Luke says. "Did you hear Conway up there on the panel?"
"I thought he was good," I say.
"Oh, of course he was. He could convince anyone of anything when he deigns to try," Toby says. "But you're right. His view of the industry wasn't necessarily… optimistic, not for us little guys."
"I'm sure he'd call it realistic," I say.
"That only makes it worse."
"Well, he's a venture capitalist," Toby says. "He took over Exciteur to ensure it makes money, and when it does, he'll leave. That's their role."
I take a sip of my glass and make my tone casual. "Think it'll happen soon?"
Toby shakes his head. "I doubt it, but I can't claim to know what goes on in management."
"He's not here, is he?" Luke asks. "I haven't seen Upper Management since the last panel."
"I don't think so," I reply, and I've been keeping an eye out. Tristan has been in meetings not open to the likes of us most of the day, but I've seen him striding down hallways and of course, working the microphone during the panel discussion. The difference couldn't be clearer-me, in the back, taking notes. Him, being interviewed on the future of consultancy.