Page 146 of Enticing Her Love

The dance was in full swing, and the banquet room at the Silver House was hopping. It had been transformed into a winter wonderland, with elegant chandeliers casting a soft glow over the dance floor, where couples were twirling and swaying. Tables were draped in white and adorned with gorgeous floral arrangements, and holiday trees anchored each side of the stage, their pine needles sprayed with white, wrapped in twinkling lights and gold ribbons. Sutton loved seeing everyone dressed up for the dance and was reminded of shopping for holiday dresses with her grandmother, mother, and sisters when she was younger. Those outings had made the events even more special.

She looked for her mother, thinking about how much she’d enjoyed their alone time today. She saw her standing by the doors leading to the balcony, talking with Margot Silver, Flynn’s parents, and Seth. She looked around at his family mingling throughout the room and loved seeing them getting to know everyone. Flynn’s grandmother had been with Sutton’s grandmother and the other Bra Brigaders all evening. Clay was surrounded by teenage boys, talking football, no doubt, and Noah was on the dance floor with Bellamy and Keira. She searched for Flynn and spotted him with his grandfather, Jock, and Levi. Her brothers and Flynn were each holding a baby, and Flynn was swaying to the music, gazing at the baby in his arms. Her heart squeezed. He was going to be the best father one day. She looked at her brothers. She hadn’t thought they could get any happier than they’d been this last year, but those babies added a whole new level of happiness for everyone.

“You weren’t kidding when you said people here knew how to celebrate the holidays,” Victory said, bringing Sutton’s mind back to their conversation. “I feel like I’m in a Me Time movie.” Me Time was an LWW network, sort of like Hallmark with steam.

“I can see it now,” Sutton said. “Cutthroat businesswoman meets charming small towner, and they live happily ever after.”

Victory scoffed. “Not a chance.”

“Sutton, you sound like Jules and one of her dreamy fantasies,” Leni said.

“How can you say that? You’re marrying a small-town guy,” Sutton reminded her.

“He’s not an island guy,” Leni pointed out.

“What’s wrong with island guys?” Victory asked.

“Nothing. We just know them all too well,” Sutton said.

Leni nodded toward Wells heading their way, looking sharp in a dark suit, drink in hand, ogling Victory. “That’s an island guy.”

“The guy with the movie-star looks and that you-know-you-want-me glint in his eyes? No thanks. Not my type,” Victory said.

Sutton noticed she didn’t stop checking out Wells as he approached.

“Ladies,” Wells said. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting your gorgeous friend.”

“Wells Silver, this is Flynn’s sister, Victoria. Victory,” Sutton said.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Victory,” he said.

Victory smiled. “You too.”

“I noticed you haven’t been on the dance floor yet, and I was hoping to change that,” Wells said. “I have a feeling dancing with you will be the highlight of my night.”

“I can’t believe that. A guy like you could dance with any woman in here,” Victory said.

He lifted his brows. “And I choose you.”

“Thank you, but I think I’ll pass,” Victory said coolly, her eyes never leaving his.

He studied her for a beat. “You don’t dance?”

“Yes, that’s right,” Victory said, a small smile curving her lips.

Leni stifled a laugh.

“Lucky for you, I’m a great dancer. I’ll show you the ropes.” He lowered his voice seductively. “We’ll start off with a little swaying action, let our bodies find their rhythm, and ease into more.”

“As interesting as that sounds, I was just on my way to get a drink. It was nice to meet you.” Victory turned on her heel, nudged Leni, and the two of them stalked off.

Wells watched her walk away. “Now, that’s a woman.”

“She just turned you down flat,” Sutton said.

“Verbally, but did you see the way she was undressing me with her eyes?”

“Wells, you’re barking up the wrong tree,” she said, noticing Flynn heading her way.