Kat led Diego into the ballroom, as they were directed by signage and employees in hotel vests. He stole two champagne flutes and handed one to her in a flourish of his arm. “You read my mind,” she smiled, taking the flute from his hand and sipping the sparkling liquid appreciatively.<br/><br/>He leaned in to whisper about how they all loved her, and she rolled her eyes at Diego. “That’s just how they are with everyone who enters. I think it’s called the celebrity treatment. They feel like if they make you feel super important then you might give more money to their cause.” She shrugged. “Everything has a price.”<br/><br/>Diego sounded exasperated as he pleaded with her to tell him that the red carpet was the hardest part. “Hmm,” she toyed with him for a moment. “Depends on what you think the hardest part is. For me it’s always the schmoozing. I can’t stand the dry small talk.” Half the time she was just impressed that she didn’t fall asleep while standing.<br/><br/>Kat led Diego to the enormous buffet of food and gestured toward the plates. “Are you hungry?” The display had only appetizers to start, but with such a variety and an abundance, one could easily get themselves full from it alone. “We can find our seats and settle in. Sometimes if you’re eating, the schmoozing doesn’t last as long.” She shared, a useful tip she had learned over time.