The Tray

Mina looked at it like it might be a trap.

Mina: “Why are you doing this?”

Julian: “Because you’re good at what you do. And nobody in this room has said that to you once tonight.”

He paused.

Julian: “That’s a problem.”

Across the room, two guests watched.

Older Woman (whispering): “Luck always finds you while you’re working.”

Companion: “Or trouble.”

Older Woman: “Same thing sometimes.”

Mina didn’t pick up the card right away.