Honey led Kitt inside.

Though a lifetime seemed to have passed for the two of them, the scene at the ballroom was not unlike it had been when they left. Staff and guests were laughing and dancing.

Indiana noticed them come in. He gave Kitt a significant questioning look.

Kitt grinned and Indiana winked at him delightedly.

“Did you just somehow… tell him?” Honey sounded scandalized.

“Only that you have accepted me,” Kitt said. “Though you can hardly blame him for guessing the rest. You’re completely irresistible.”

She laughed and smacked him on the shoulder, which he knew was a gesture of fondness, not an invitation to a duel.

“Brother,” Remington said, approaching them.

Addy and Nikki were at the big table in the back, piling two plates with food.

“Excuse me,” Honey said, heading off to find her friends.

“Hey, that was quick,” Nikki said. “Did you guys work things out?”

“Uh, yeah,” Honey said, realizing it was going to be hard to convey to what extent they had worked things out when it seemed like they had been gone for only ten minutes.

“Whoa,” Addy said, putting down her plate and turning to Honey. “You guys are together, aren’t you?”

Honey smiled. “Yeah.”

“You know that’s a big deal for them, right?” Nikki sounded worried. “Kitt can’t just move on if you break up.”

“We’re not going to,” Honey said thoughtfully.

“What about the curse?” Addy teased.

“We’re not going to date,” Honey said. “We’re going to get married.”

“What?”

“Addy, I know it sounds crazy, but I know what I’m doing,” Honey said. “Do you trust me?”

“You know I do,” Addy admitted.

“I’ve got this,” Honey said.

“I think she does,” Nikki said slowly.

“So, um, what about you guys?” Honey tried to hide her smile as she watched several expressions cross each woman’s face in rapid succession.

“What do you mean?” Nikki asked in a strangled voice.

“I’m good,” Addy said. “Remington and I are just friends.”

“Ladies, would you like to dance?”

Honey nearly dropped her plate when she realized Kitt and his brothers were right behind them.

“Sure,” she smiled up at her mate.

Just then the doors swung open and someone switched on the harsh overhead lights.

“Party’s over,” a deep voice shouted.

For one terrible moment Honey was sure it was Wade Travers.

But when she looked over, she saw that although he looked and sounded like Wade, the man was older - a large silver haired man in a blue polo shirt, his face pink and convulsed with anger.

The guests went silent and someone cut the music.

“Mr. Travers,” Malik said with a big smile as he rushed to the man. “We’re so glad that you could join us. What are you drinking tonight, my friend?”

“I’m not drinking and neither is anyone else,” Travers yelled. “My son is in jail, apparently because he boinked some stupid dancer on your staff. I’m here to let you all know that I’m pulling my shares in this hell hole. Your party is over because this place is going to close down.”

He turned on his heel and marched out, with Malik following behind as if to appease him.

“False alarm, party’s back on,” the head tennis coach yelled with gusto.

The music came back on, but the guests were all huddled in groups discussing what had just happened. Many faces were looking Honey’s way.

Kitt put an arm around her and faced her back toward the buffet, effectively blocking them from the staring.

Honey was grateful to know he had her back - literally if necessary.

Addy looked her in the eyes. This was bad.

“Can he really do that?” Nikki sounded alarmed.

“Yes,” Addy said. “He can do that. He’s a major stakeholder in Maxwell’s. If he wants to sell the other owners probably can’t afford to buy him out. They’d have to shut down and sell the land.”

“I can’t let that happen,” Honey said. “This is all my fault.”

“This is all Wade’s fault for being a monster,” Addy said dismissively. “But we still don’t have to let it happen. Want to get out of here? Go someplace and make a plan?”

Honey noticed Remington smiling proudly at Addy.

“Sure,” she said. “Let’s go to the diner on 320. Get some pancakes.”

“It’s a date,” Indiana said.

“No,” Honey and Kitt said at once.

“Okay,” Indiana agreed, sounding puzzled. “It’s not a date.”

“Come on,” Addy said, “let’s get out of here. Between the six of us we’ll figure this out.”

They headed for the doors, Kitt and Honey in the lead followed by Addy and Remington and Nikki and Indiana. The crowd seemed to part for them and the beat of the music matched their pace.

Kitt smiled down at Honey, love and pride in his gray eyes.

That look told Honey everything she needed to know.

There was nothing they couldn’t take on together.