Page 2 of Rescued Heart

“Step inside, Ms. Pearl.”

Right. Bianca picked up the front of her dress. It was probably wise she hadn’t joked about where the other half of the money went tonight.

Dimmed chandeliers hung from beamed rafters. Tables dressed with black tablecloths and white flower arrangements made an S shape in the rectangular room. It seemed black tie applied to all, decorations included. The stage was in the center, surrounded by a tile dance floor over the carpet. Music drifted from the band, and Bianca tapped her finger on her purse to the beat.

A windowed wall led out to a patio larger than Bianca’s current apartment. That was now the only thing she missed about her ex—his house. But looking back, she should have known Nathan hadn’t been truthful about who even owned his house. Right now, she’d settle for the court to find the money that had disappeared when they had frozen her account. And for Nathan to stop trying to contact her.

The judge may have exonerated him, but Bianca knew the truth. Too bad no one believed her.

The women at the table nearest to the door had enough feathers on their masks to stuff at least three pillows. Servers in all white carried trays of drinks or food that didn’t look big enough to even be one bite. The air smelled like sweet citrus, either from the appetizers or the combination of perfumes swirling about.

Security guarded each of the exits, and they were the only ones whose identities weren’t hidden by masquerade masks. Flowers and feathers and decorations made it difficult to find which tables had open seats.

Good thing she and Carter had exchanged numbers at the cast reading. Bianca sent off a text.

Bianca

Where are you seated?

She checked the tables in the first two rows. No open seats. No lone, tall, broad-shouldered men.

Wait. The far corner table contained an open seat. And a masked man in a navy suit with his arm around an empty chair. With the right styled hair and a magazine-worthy jawline.

Had to be Carter.

Bianca wound her way past the other tables and nodded at those already seated. As she slipped into the open chair, she placed her hand on Carter’s shoulder. “So sorry I’m late. You will never guess what happened. The?—”

“Did it have to do with the sunshiny doorkeeper? Because Janice made me park in the back parking lot. If I had to guess, she’s allergic to vehicles not made in this decade. Either that or maybe people in general. And I’d bet she’s probably related to the puppet who lives in the trashcan.” The man’s deep voice had Bianca locking gazes with a dark-eyed stranger.

A quick intake of breath, and then Bianca slid her hand away. “You’re not Carter.”

The man placed his palm over his heart while a toothpaste-ad-worthy smile stole all of her focus. “Somehow, I’m disappointed now too. I’m only Eddie.”

“Shh!” The older woman to his right leaned into Bianca’s space and sent them both a glare. “We’re not supposed to use our names until the reveal.”

Yes. That was the biggest problem here.

Bianca’s cheeks heated under her mask. Could this day get any worse? First the layover. Then Nathan had tried to call her. The media had posted again how she’d been a liar at his trial. Plus, being late to meet Carter for their orchestrated kiss and photo. And now…

Lord, when are things ever going to be easier?

Eddie touched her elbow. “Do you need help finding this guy?”

What she really needed was about seven more hours of sleep and for God to answer a few more of her prayers. “I?—”

The room erupted into applause. Bianca faced the stage, where the man she assumed was the mayor of Last Chance County stood. A mustache framed his wide smile as he waved in his black pants and charcoal suit jacket, complete with a red bow tie.

He was handed a microphone. “Thank you, everyone, for coming. I appreciate your support for my reelection and the youth of our great city in this masquerade auction.”

He pointed to his face. “As you’ve noticed, I’m not wearing a costume mask. But you are, and boy will the social feeds go crazy when we go live and announce all of my wonderful guests. I bet I’ll even be surprising some of my dear friends here tonight. With Last Chance County hosting a movie crew, you never know who might be in the chair beside you.”

The mayor took a red piece of paper from the grouchy door lady, who now stood beside him. He held up the paper. “You will find one of these tucked inside your napkin. If you can guess everyone who is sitting at your table tonight, there will be a special prize for you after the close of the auction.” His grin grew. “Trust me, you want to win it. For now, let’s open the night up with some dancing. Take the nearest hand and come join me on the dance floor to celebrate a night of priceless art.”

The band on the stage took the cue, and the drummer joined in with the rest of the piano and jazz sounds. The mayor kept his steps to the beat as he exited the stage, heading to the center of the dance floor.

Bianca stood with the crowd. Eighty percent of the men wore black suits, while the others wore gray. Stupid masks.

She checked her phone. Still no reply from Carter. In its place was a picture text from her sister, Madeline. She was surrounded by their mom and grandma and her bridal party while Madeline held a sign that read:Found my dress at Crystal’s Bridal.

---