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“They decided to meet here.”

“Who’s they?”

“Long story.”

“Of course.”

Connor’s lips tighten into a thin line, the muscle in his cheek twitching.

“She might even be open to you buying her a drink if you can work up the nerve to approach her in person.”

“Fuck you.” Connor’s jaw ticks in that subtle way it does when he’s annoyed but holding it in.

“Uh, huh.”

“I could say the same for you. Speaking of which, any prospects for your upcoming wedding?” Ever the sarcastic, Connor does air quotes at the word ‘wedding’.

“Unlikely.”

I scan the crowd again. These events tend to attract a certain type—the young and reckless, more interested in the thrill and grabbing attention.

A server comes by, and I wave him off.

I check my watch. By now, I would have been done with the finance reports. I’ll leave as soon as she arrives. It should be soon if Connor’s intel is correct. Though, I question how wise it is to pursue a woman he never actually talked to.

“You’re sure she’ll show up?” I ask.

Connor’s eyes don’t stray, his focus trained on the entrance. “She’ll be here.”

He’s like a bloodhound locked on a scent when he gets focused on something. I suppose we all have our talents.

The steady beat of the music pulses through the club. Strobe lights flash hypnotically over the sea of glittering masks, drinking and dancing below. It’s disorienting if you stare too long.

I never partied much. I like my evenings with whiskey and poker with the boys. And working is my happy place.

Thinking of work. Sullivan has got to step the fuck up. The merger he secured today was not my preferred outcome. If you want it right, you better do it yourself.

Connor shifts in his seat. I follow his gaze to the entrance.

Now, there’s a woman worth a second glance with curves that could tempt a saint. Blonde hair, petite, and her lithe frame hugged by a short black dress. Her posture is rigid, her eyes beneath the black masquerade mask darting around like a trapped animal seeking an escape as she shifts on her heels.

Beside her is a brunette. She wears a feathered blue masquerade mask, obscuring her face. But I don’t need to see under it to know she’s the one Connor’s been waiting for.

My gaze wanders back to the blonde. She wants to disappear into the shadows and slip away unnoticed. A refreshing contradiction to the usual attention-seekers who prowl these events, hungry for attention. This one’s different. This one wants to be invisible.

Too bad, sweetheart. You’ve caught my interest now.

As her gaze drifts up towards the VIP section, our eyes meet.

I lean forward in my seat.

Too soon, her eyes dart away, and she ducks her head as Mary leads her towards the bar.

I sit back, swirling the whiskey in my glass. There’s something… about her.

Perhaps the night won’t be a waste after all.

The whiskey burns as I take another sip, my gaze lingering on the mysterious blonde.

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