I’d already been on my feet for hours, arriving early to help set up and make sure everything was just as it should be for the gala. To my surprise, Finn arrived early as well, wearing an onyx tuxedo and stealing my breath. He was the epitome of success and sophistication, and he looked hot.
Although it was a masquerade ball, I got the pleasure of seeing him before people started to arrive and the masks went on. Mine was bloodred, the same shade as my dress. It glittered in the dim lighting of the room, the sequins sparkling and feathers ticking my cheeks every time I turned.
As guests were mingling and finding their seats, I located Paige at the table nearest to mine. I’d made sure she was sitting next to Tucker and Leslie for company. Her dress had hints of aqua that matched her mask and made me think of a mermaid.
“This is lovely,” she said when she spotted me. “Wow, Charlotte…that dress is criminal.”
I grinned at her, taking the seat next to hers to get off my feet for a few minutes. “You were with me when I bought it.”
“And I remember now why Leslie and I insisted you buy it.”
“Even though it cost a fortune.”
She lowered her mask and smiled at me. “Trust me, it was worth every penny. Too bad—”
She broke off and glanced away. But I already knew what she was going to say. It was too bad Finn couldn’t enjoy it. Too bad that we weren’t here together. “No, you’re right. It’s too bad.”
Paige shrugged. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.”
Beneath the cover of voices and music and glasses clinking, I felt safe being honest with her. “It is your business because you’re my friend. I miss him.” I clutched my hand to my chest because it hurt so bad. “I miss him a lot.”
“Do you think you…made a mistake?”
Blinking back the sudden moisture in my eyes, I said, “I did what I had to do.”
A look of concern crossed her face. She reached out and touched my hand. “Charlotte. You didn’t break up with Finn because of…” She mouthed the name, Mark.
Stomach churning, I let my gaze roam the tables, the dancefloor, the auction booth to the side of the Commons. All of it was decorated with sparkling lights and candles and hanging paper globes that had transformed the place into an enchanted forest.
I should have felt safe with Dustin standing near my table and keeping watch. But instead, I felt alone. I felt empty. I wanted Finn.
I straightened when I saw someone coming toward me.
“Charlotte?” Paige asked, squeezing my hand. “What is it?”
I dawned my mask to help block my expression. I didn’t want to talk to John, didn’t want to see him. But I had to pretend everything was okay.
He stopped at the table, his own mask dangling from his fingertips. He’d attempted to clean up, but all I could see were his watchful eyes and the irritating twist to his mouth. I used to think he was friendly. Now I knew he was cunning. He was a liar. And he was watching me as much as Mark had been.
“I thought that was you,” he said.
I stood from the table, already thinking of an excuse to get away from him. “I’ll talk to you later,” I told Paige before turning to John. “Just getting off my feet for a few minutes.”
He rocked back on his heels with a nod. “A lot of work went into this.”
My smile was tight and I tried to soften it. “Seems to have paid off.”
“There are a lot of people here.”
He said it like it was a disappointment but secretly I was grateful. I thought it was going to be a nightmare for security but I was glad it had given me room to breathe. Even with all the cameras, there was no way they were going to pick up on any conversation I was having. I could get lost in the throng of people as well and it made me feel safer.
“Don’t worry,” he continued, mistaking my tension for worry. “We’ve got a lot of eyes on the cameras and security at each entrance.”
I tried another smile. “Good. Thanks, John.”
His eyes lit with his own smile, making my skin crawl. “No problem.”
I spotted Finn walking to the stage at the front of the dancefloor. “Looks like it’s time.”
“See you.”
I walked away without glancing back, heading toward the stage. My heart was racing and I automatically looked for Curtis in the throng of people. I spotted him at the side of the stage and my shoulders relaxed some. If anything happened, if John tried anything or even made me uneasy, Curtis was there. Finn was there and Dustin was there.
There were people I could go to.
The emcee made an announcement, the music faded back, and the stage lights came up. I lingered at the side, half paying attention when Finn took the microphone and opened with a joke. Everyone was relaxed and glamorous, and I wished I could enjoy the evening like they were.
Finn launched into his speech, drawing my attention. When he talked about his inspiration for Oasis and his eyes left the crowd, coming to rest on me, emotions swamped me. I realized I hadn’t loved Finn, really loved him as much as I could, when we were in college. And I knew that because I felt so much more for him now. My heart was his one hundred percent and I couldn’t believe I’d broken up with him because I was scared.
When he said my name and asked me to join him, I walked to his side, the skirt of my dress swishing against the stage floor. I could hardly see the guests at their tables because the lights were so bright but it was only Finn that mattered. His dark eyes captured mine the entire way to him like we were the only two people in the Commons. The only two people on earth.
He politely handed me the microphone when I reached him, but our fingers brushed. My heart broke a little more.
I had to fix this.
I held it together enough to say a few words and encourage everyone to enjoy their drinks and their meals, as well as take the time to bid on the items which stores, restaurants, and patrons had donated for the event.
Once we were finished, I turned as quickly as I could, heading off the stage while taking off my mask. I thought I heard Finn say my name but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t face him right now. Not without breaking down. When I saw John standing near Curtis, I turned in the opposite direction and promptly ran into someone.
“Oh my God. I’m so sorry,” I said, holding out my hands in an apologetic gesture. My mask dropped to the ground.
The man lowered his mask as well. “I’m not.” He grinned, looking almost like Finn when he did so. “Hi, Charlotte.”
“Jake!” I gripped him in a hug before I could help myself. I was so happy to see a familiar face and one I trusted that I immediately launched myself into his arms. “I looked for you earlier.”
He held tight for a moment, murmuring in my ear, “I was a little late. And that’s some serious security you’ve got out at the entrance.”
I eased from his grasp. “Sorry about that.”
He shrugged and I couldn’t tell if he knew the reason for it or not. He bent to retrieve my mask. “I’ll give this back if you give me a dance.”
I nodded, even though my feet were killing me. It was easier than sitting at the same table as Finn and pretending everything was fine when my heart was being torn out of my chest. Worse, I had no right to indulge in my own sadness because it was my choice. I’d made things the way they were between us.
I didn’t know how badly I’d hurt Finn, but I had to fix it.
I just had no idea how.
Jake took my hand and led me to the dancefloor. The lights had dimmed again, and the shiny floor was only illuminated by the floating domes of light above us. It was romantic and a great way to get people interested in Oasis.
Keeping my mask in one hand, I joined it with Jake’s and let him pull me closer as other couples moved around us on the dancefloor. He looked so much like Finn, I had to blink. Jake was Finn’s older brother, the one who initially took over their father’s company. But, unlike Finn, he was more of a free spirit. He wanted to be able to wander and move from one project to the next. I wonder what would have happened if it had been him who’d stayed at Oasis, not Finn. Would that have made things easier?
“You’re quiet,” Jake said, mouth close to my ear.
I tilted my head back to smile at him. “My feet are killing me.”
He laughed and turned me in a circle. “I’ve missed you, Charlotte.”
“I’ve missed you, too. Are you going to be staying around a while?”
“Would you like that?” he asked, a smile in his voice.
I nodded before I realized how true it was. Jake had always been able to make me laugh, to ease the tension, to joke when Finn had been serious. It hurt my heart to hear he’d had trouble with his ex-wife.
“I’ve been in New York for the last few weeks but I’ve got most everything settled there. I think I might be able to hang out here a bit, annoy Finn, try to steal you away.”
“Not likely, brother,” Finn said, startling me. I glanced over, surprised to find him on the other side of us, hands in his pockets. “I was hoping to cut in.”
Jake only laughed, relinquishing his hold on me. I started to protest but Finn took my hand before I could move away.
“Lunch,” Jake suggested. “Tomorrow?”
“Sure. I—”
He startled me by leaning in to kiss my cheek. “We’ll talk.”
Finn took his place, blocking my view. Filling the space in front of me with his wide shoulders. “Just one dance,” he said as if anticipating an argument. “That won’t look suspicious, will it?”
“Finn…” Suspicious? What was he talking about? I’d broken up with him, but he was still acting like it was just a mistake. And he was absolutely right. Either I was a terrible actress or he was more determined than I gave him credit for.
When he turned me in the other direction and I spotted John again, watching us, my grip tensed on Finn’s hand.
“What?” he asked. He followed my gaze, frowning. “Charlotte.”
I tried to even my breathing and smile. Pretend like we were just friends having one dance. “Nothing. You’re right. One dance is expected.”
“Did you get my note?”
I swayed with him, trying to keep my composure. When I didn’t answer, he continued.
“It’s not just my office. Your apartment and mine are both safe. No cameras. No—”
“Finn, please,” I said. “Let’s not talk about this right now.”
He wasn’t seeing the bigger picture. Just because there weren’t cameras in his apartment or even mine didn’t mean there weren’t cameras on the way to his apartment. In the hallways. Everywhere else. John, and then Mark, would still know who I was keeping company with. And then what? Mark would hurt Paige or go after my sister Jenna, or even Finn, and I couldn’t let that happen.
His hand slid down to my hip, and his words were just a low murmur. “You look beautiful tonight.”
I let myself look up into his fathomless blue eyes. There was more than appreciation there. There was love, forgiveness, and understanding. Would he forgive me if I said I was sorry? If I explained what I’d done was for his own good?
After all, I’d forgiven him when I’d come to Oasis. We’d started over. But our foundation for trust kept breaking under the strain of everything else that was being thrown our way.
“You look like you belong here,” I told him, taking another moment to admire his tuxedo. Trying to ignore the pain in my heart. “Like this is your world.”
“You’re my world.”
My breath caught. Our lips were so close, close enough anyone looking might think we were about to kiss.
I stumbled on my dress in my haste to back up. Finn didn’t release my waist, only tightened his hold. He said one word. “Please.”
My chest constricted. “Oh, God, Finn. Please. I can’t—not right now.”
“Then when?”
I pulled my hand from his. In that instant, I knew he’d forgive me. He’d forgive me and more—he’d take me back. Which is exactly where I wanted to be. And exactly the most dangerous place to be right now.
“I need to—” I glanced around for a source inspiration but found none. It was all too perfect. The lights, the dancing, the champagne, the music. All of it made me want to stay there in Finn’s arms and embrace what we’d started when I came to Oasis. “I need to use the restroom.”
“Charlotte—”
I tried not to make a scene as I pulled from his grasp. My mask fell from my fingertips and this time I left it on the floor. I made myself take deliberately casual steps as I walked to the nearest restroom.
It was sheer will that had me smiling an almost genuine smile at John when I passed him in order to get by without any questions. But I couldn’t sidestep Curtis when he intercepted me at the end of the hall, his eyes vigilant.
He stopped far enough from me it looked like we’re just giving each other a casual greeting. He even smiled, a wide smile that came off strange on him. “It looks like the gala is a success.”
“It does.”
“Good work,” he said, reaching out a hand.
My eyes narrowed but I automatically stuck my hand out to shake his. I felt the piece of paper immediately, clasped between our fingers. A secret.
He let go and nodded. “Good evening, Ms. Evans.”
I closed my fingers around the paper and turned as he walked away. “Don’t forget to check out the auction booth.”
He waved a hand. “Will do.”
Clutching my purse close to me, I finished my trek down the hallway and then locked myself inside a stall in the bathroom. Away from cameras or people.
I uncurled my fingers, frowning when all I saw was Curtis’s business card. He’d already given one to me and I’d programmed his number into my phone just in case. Then why…
Flipping the card over, I froze. On the back was a time, scribbled hastily under a brief message. I’ll be alone tomorrow, no prying ears. My phone is safe. 2:30.
My breath caught. He knew. He really knew. I figured he might, but this…God, Curtis was too shrewd for his own good. And I was eternally grateful he was on my side.
I could talk to him. I could tell him John was behind part of this. The cameras, maybe even the flowers and notes that had been delivered to my apartment.
Curtis would know what to do. And then I wouldn’t have to lie to Finn anymore.
Stuffing the card into my purse, I left the stall and washed my hands. Tomorrow.
I’d go out to lunch with Jake if he was available. A meal with an old friend—that wasn’t suspicious at all. And when lunch was through, I’d find a payphone somewhere or use the restaurant phone and call Curtis. I’d handle this.
I’d been weak before. I’d let Mark hurt me. I’d even let him bully me when I got to Oasis, making me afraid to have a relationship with Paige or Finn or anyone because I was scared to lose what mattered.
But not anymore.
Taking a deep breath for courage, I touched up my makeup and left the bathroom. First, I hunted down a flute of champagne. Then I found Jake and insisted he dance with me once more so we could make plans.