The inside of the aquarium was teeming with people all dressed in black ties and colorful evening gowns. The room was buzzing with conversations and laughter. Jo took a deep breath and could smell the food cooking in the other room; chicken, pasta, potatoes, greens, and the cakes that were already sitting on a round table in the corner.  There were 3 of them, all 3 layered and covered in pastel white icing. Smiling, she accepted the glass from Leon and took a small sip. Carla was standing in the far right corner talking with Steve with a tall, black haired man that must have been Paul. 

[color=f26522]Carla gave a small wave when she noticed Jo was looking her direction and started walking their way with Paul in tow. "Hi, Leon," Carla said and smiled. "Do anymore sailing lately? This is Paul." She gestured to the man at her side and they all exchanged pleasantries. "I hope you guys have a great night! I hope I do too," She leaned over and whispered to Jo, wagging her eyebrows. "Steve said that we have raised nearly $3,000.00 already and this hasn't even been going on for an hour!" Carla's smile grew wider as she eyed Leon one more time. "Take care of her," she said in a low voice. "Or I will hunt you down and feed you to the sharks," she added and then the smile returned to her face. "Bye, guys! Have a blast!" She turned on her heels and tugged Paul out onto the dance floor where people were beginning the waltz.[/color]

"Don't mind her," Jo said with a small laugh. "She is a few french fries short of a happy meal." Jo look a step closer to Leon as she noticed that several other women were coming closer and brushing against him. "Thank you for coming tonight. You really do look awesome. I love the gold." She smiled and finished her glass of champagne. "Come on." She pulled his hand and tugged him forward. Jo pushed through the people and found Steve. "Steve! Carla said that we're doing great so far!" She called to him as the music grew louder.

[color=39b54a]Steve nodded and ran his right hand through his hair, eyeing Leon uncomfortably. "Leon, nice to see you again," Steve said quietly and shook his hand politely. "Carla really likes to run her mouth, doesn't she?" He paused and looked around the dance floor as more and more people flooded in. "We are doing very well so far." Was all he said. "Go enjoy yourselves. Jo, call me if you need me," he added quietly.[/color]

Jo took a small step back and furrowed her brow. "um..okay, Steve...Thanks." She looked up at Leon and shrugged her shoulders. "You make people act very strange, did you know that?" With a smile she tugged him toward the dance floor. "Come on. I want to see if my little lion knows how to dance," she joked with a wide smile, flashing her white teeth.