The last thing Tony wanted to do this weekend was put on the paparazzi smile, shake three dozen sweaty hands and politely refuse even more offers to get him a drink. He would have gladly sent a check and holiday greetings and put it behind him if Pepper didn't sigh heavily at her desk as he passed by last night. That was more of a challenge to resist than her nagging. It would have been easier to handle with a reliable date, but that would have put off the flirty daughters of the important connections that Stark Enterprises, as Pepper had pointed out earlier in the week or month or maybe it was just today, was sorely lacking lately or had let atrophy. It was just one night. He was good at this act.
Luckily, he didn't have to work too hard. The evening's hostess was globally enchanting and it wasn't just Tony that found himself watching her move through the crowd. He could slide his way to a quiet corner without drawing much notice as she took the stage, then study her as she inched her way closer with a glass of water growing warmer in his hand. The distinction of her energy wasn't exactly 'radiant' or 'warm'. Tony narrowed his eyes, trying to classify it, and still hadn't come up with anything better by the time he was greeting, "Ms. Frost," before she could be swept by without a proper introduction.