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Five simple words, but they meant the world.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

He squeezed my shoulder briefly, then turned to Beau. “Blackwell, glad you could make it.”

“Wouldn’t miss it, sir.”

Dad nodded once more, then excused himself to greet some investors who had just arrived. I watched him go, feeling lighter than I had in months.

“Come on,” Beau said, taking my hand. “Let’s find our table.”

We wound through the crowd, nodding at masked faces and returning greetings from people I vaguely recognized. Our table was near the front, positioned with a perfect view of the small stage where the evening’s entertainment would perform.

We settled into our seats, and Beau immediately started scanning the room, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Okay,” he said, leaning close so only I could hear. “The guy in the peacock mask by the ice sculpture. Who do you think that is?”

I followed his gaze to a man in an elaborate blue-and-green mask, complete with actual peacock feathers sprouting from the top. He was gesturing dramatically while talking to a woman in a cat mask.

“That’s Cory Winston,” I said. “Tech billionaire. He always goes over the top at these things.”

“No way. I was going to guess some kind of performance artist.”

“He wishes he was that interesting.”

Beau laughed. We spent the next twenty minutes playing the guessing game, trying to identify people based on their masks while guessing why they chose the masks.

I had been to the ball every year. And I had never enjoyed myself like I was with Beau.

19

BEAU

The ballroom hummed with energy. The haunting violin set the tone. It was hypnotic. Erotic. Or maybe it was her. She was stunning. Every time she turned her head, the candlelight caught the crystals on her dress. I was a man and therefore I felt it was completely normal that I noticed her chest. Not just her chest. Her whole vibe was fire.

I was in trouble. Deep, undeniable trouble.

“Beau!”

I turned to see Cleo weaving through the crowd, her silver gown catching the light as she moved. It was very disco ball. Jeremy trailed behind her, his ridiculous goat mask somehow working on him. Only my brother could pull off horns and still look like he belonged on a magazine cover.

“There you are,” Cleo said, sliding into the empty chair next to Darcy. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you two.”

“We’ve been right here,” I said. “Doing very important people-watching.”

Jeremy dropped into the seat beside me, immediately flagging down a passing server for another drink.

“This party is insane,” he said, eyes scanning the room with predatory interest. “Have you seen the woman in the rabbit mask? Over by the champagne tower?”

I followed his gaze. A tall brunette in a white gown stood near the elaborate champagne display, her mask was white lace and pearl-tipped ears. She was beautiful in that obvious way that usually attracted Jeremy like a moth to flame.

“I see her,” I said.

“I’m going to talk to her later.” Jeremy accepted his whiskey from the server with a nod of thanks. “She’s been making eye contact all night.”

“Maybe she’s just looking in your general direction.”

“Beau, please.” He gestured to himself with exaggerated confidence. “No one just looks in my general direction.”