James had lost count at this point of how many times he felt out of place around the rich. Leaning against one of the walls, James watched as people effortlessly conversed and caught up with each other.

Shifting from one leg to the other, he scanned the crowd once more for the man he was hoping to see, and finally, after what seemed like hours—when in reality it was only a few minutes—he saw him.

Edwin was talking to a few other women at the party, and James ...