I twist away from the curtains to avoid his eyes as Lance looks for me in the windows. My chest flutters from the rush of it all, then immediately curls into a dreadful knot.

If Marcus hadn’t have arrived when he did...

“Ms. Argento.”

I would have fucked Lance in the garden out of spite.

I turn around in time to see Marcus bounding toward me, his face grimaced in annoyance.

“What the hell was that about?” he growls.

“What was what about?” I ask.

“Cut the crap. The dance.”

“It was a dance,” I say. “He won fair and square. What did you want me to do? It’s tradition.”

“Is it tradition to whisper in the winner’s ear the whole time, too?” he asks. “What did you say to him?”

I roll my eyes. “I was making small talk during an awkward situation. It’s what I do.”

“What did you say, Trix?”

“I... don’t remember. The music was loud. I was counting steps in my head.”

His head wags back and forth. “No, you need to—”

“Whoa—!”

A man plows into us, spilling his clear drink all over Marcus.

“I’m super duper sorry about that, buddy,” Robbie slurs. “Here.”

He yanks off his pink bowtie and starts dabbing it along Marcus’ chest.

“It’s fine—” Marcus pulls away.

“No, really. Dude. I got thisss—”

Marcus shoves him to arm’s length and glares at me. “We’ll talk about this later.”

“No, we won’t,” I say.

He storms off toward the staff-only area, ripping off his suit jacket as he goes.

Robbie steps in front of me, standing a little taller and not at all the drunken mess he was five seconds ago. “What a baby,” he says, raising his empty glass. “It’s just water.”

I smile. “Thanks for the superb interruption, Rob.”

“Anytime, Blossom. Fuck that guy.” He heaves a happy sigh. “I delivered your message.”

I point at the window behind me. “I saw. Good work.”

“You’re not gonna tell me what it was about, are you?”

I shake my head. “Nope.”

“Dammit.”

“The less you know the better. Trust me.”

“I can respect that.” He glances around. “Got any other messages you need delivered?”

“That was the only one.”

“You sure?”

“You can just walk up and talk to her, you know.” I smirk. “You were married for almost two years.”

His squinting eyes fall back to me. “While your point makes logical sense, in what world does logic apply to me and Melanie Rose?”

“You guys seemed pretty logical for a long time.”

“And yet... here we are.” He stuffs his wet bowtie into his breast pocket. “Thinkin’ I might head out. Thanks for the invite.”

“Thanks for coming. Always nice to see you all cleaned up.”

“I do look fabulous.”

I laugh as he walks away with a casual wave. “Goodnight, Robbie.”

I glance out the window again, knowing full well that Lance is long gone but part of me still feels him around. His scent lingers in my nose. His voice echoes in my head.

Let me help you.

Am I crazy for thinking he even can?

Or am I letting myself fall into the same trap I always do?

I eye the staff-only door as I pass by it, hoping that Marcus doesn’t plow through to find me. I breathe a sigh of relief when it stays closed. I navigate through the crowd, flashing my smile and greeting people I haven’t spoken to yet as I seek out Nora and Melanie. One eye stays open for my brothers, as I’m sure they have opinions of their own about that dance. And that kiss.

I lick my lips as blood rushes to my cheeks.

“Hey.” Nora greets me by the edge of the dance floor. “Where’d you run off to?”

“Just getting some fresh air,” I say. I look at Clive beside her. He keeps one arm on her back. “Everything okay over here?”

“We’re fiiiine,” she says.

“Well...” Clive smiles. “She’s doing just fine.”

I laugh at Nora. “Uh-oh. I know that face. That’s nine mimosas and no toast face.”

She blows a raspberry at me.

“She’s switched to water,” Clive says.

I nod. “Good.”

Nora grins. “You know what we should switch?” she asks Clive, her words slurring.

“What?” he says.

She pops up onto her toes and tries to whisper in his ear. He leans over to help her out, his eyes quickly growing wide.

“Whoa,” he says.

“Do I want to know?” I ask.

He clears his throat. “I should probably get her home.”

I smile. “Have fun. Be safe.”

Clive takes her arm. “Come on, Nor.”

She waves at me, perky as ever. “Bye!”

They pass by Melanie and she pauses beside them, her smile instantly crawling up her lips at Nora’s piqued cheeks.

“Goodnight, you two,” she says with a laugh.

Her smile falls and she sighs as she walks over to me. “Well, this has been a dud,” she says.

“No young, eligible bachelors?” I ask.

“Not one.”

“Well—”

“Not one,” she repeats, glaring at me. “And no, I haven’t forgiven you yet.”

“I had an extra ticket,” I argue. “I ran into him earlier this week. He said he wasn’t doing anything tonight.”

“Ran into him where?” she asks as she reaches into her pocket.

“Kenny’s.”

She sneers. “Yet another black monstrosity?”

“Apparently no.” I squint. “And don’t pretend like his tattoos weren’t your favorite thing about his body.”

She pulls out her phone and snorts. “Oh, please.”

“Then, what was your favorite thing, if I may ask?”

“If you’re trying to make me say penis, it’s working.” She taps the screen with her thumb and pauses. “Whoa.”

“Whoa, what?”

Her jaw drops. “Whoa, whoa!”

“What happened?” I ask, concerned.

“It’s him!”

“Him?”

Her brow rises. “Or her.”

“Her?” I gasp. “The secret admirer?”

I swing around to stand beside her and read over her shoulder.

“Yeah, I took your advice and went to that flower place and gave them my number,” she says. “I guess they passed it on.”

“Aww. What’d they say?”

“‘Hey, beautiful,’” she reads. “‘I heard you wanted me to call you. Hope you don’t mind texting instead. The thought of reading your words written only for me gives me goosebumps.’”

My mouth sags. “Oh, wow. That’s good.”

“Perfect spelling, too.” She sighs. “I think I’m in love.”

I laugh. “Slow down, Mel. You still have no idea who this is.”

“I’ll find out soon enough.” She reads the text again, biting her lip. “‘Beautiful.’” She giggles.

“Still want me to try and find you a plaything for tonight?” I tease.

She waves a hand. “Oh, no. You’re forgiven now. I’m gonna go home and stare at this for a while longer.”

“Are you going to reply?” I ask.

“I’m sure I will.” She raises her head and glances around.

I flash a knowing smile. “Looking for somebody?”

“No.” She shifts. “You sticking around?”

“Nah. These things run themselves once the auction starts and I don’t feel like bumping into Marcus again.”

“Want to share a cab?”

“Yes. As long as you let me read that again.”

She hands me the phone as we walk toward the exit.

“Damn, that’s good,” I say again.

Melanie giggles.