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Across the table, Cleo and Darcy had fallen into easy conversation. I caught fragments of their discussion. Cleo said something about the decorations and it feeling like she was in a fever dream.

Agreed.

“You really outdid yourself,” Cleo said. “The black roses are such a nice touch. Gothic without being cheesy.”

“That was my one hard rule,” Darcy replied. “No fake cobwebs. No plastic spiders. I wanted elegant darkness, not a haunted house.”

“You nailed it.”

I watched Darcy smile at the compliment. She looked comfortable with Cleo. They’d only known each other a few weeks, but something had clicked between them. Friendship, maybe. Or at least the beginning of one. I liked that for her. For both of them, really.

“So,” Jeremy said, drawing my attention back to him. “How’s the fake dating thing going?”

“Keep your voice down,” I muttered.

“Relax. No one can hear us over the music.” He took a sip of his whiskey, watching me over the rim of the glass. “But seriously. You two look cozy. Very convincing.”

“That’s the point.”

“Uh-huh.” He set down his glass, that knowing look in his eyes again. “You know, I’m leaving for England next week.”

The subject change was so abrupt it took me a second to catch up. “England?”

“Photo shoot for some luxury watch brand. Then Greece for a resort campaign. Then back to Australia for another two months.” He rattled off the locations like they were stops on a subway line. “Super busy through the new year.”

“Sounds exhausting.”

“Sounds amazing.” He grinned, leaning back in his chair. “No ties. No responsibilities. Just me, beautiful locations, and even more beautiful women.”

“You make it sound so romantic.”

“It is romantic.” He spread his hands wide. “I’ve found the fountain of youth, Beau. Beautiful women, chartered jets, plenty of beaches. What more could a man want?”

I snorted. “Reality comes for every man eventually, Jeremy. Even you.”

“Not when you look like this.” He gestured to his face with complete sincerity. “I’ve got at least another decade of running from commitment before I have to worry about settling down.”

“Famous last words.”

“Nah.” He shook his head, still grinning. “I’ve got it all figured out. The key is to never stay in one place long enough to get attached.”

“Maybe attachment isn’t the worst thing,” I said quietly.

Jeremy raised an eyebrow but didn’t push. Smart man.

The string quartet shifted into something slower. I knew the piece. Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. It was a little different but I knew it. The melody curled through the room like smoke, wrapping around the guests and drawing couples toward the dance floor. It was like a spell weaving around all of us. I watched masked pairs move together, bodies swaying in the candlelight.

I turned to Darcy. She was still talking to Cleo, something about a designer they both admired, but her eyes kept drifting to the dance floor. I caught the longing in her expression.

“Dance with me,” I said.

She turned, surprise flickering behind her phoenix mask. “What?”

“Dance with me.” I stood and offered my hand. “That’s what people do at balls, isn’t it?”

Cleo gave Darcy an encouraging smile. “Go. I’ll hold down the table. Someone has to guard the wine.”

“I’ll keep you company,” Jeremy said. “Tell you all about my new gym routine.”