Page 117 of Mistletoe and Malice
He couldn’t help it when the corner of his mouth twitched a little. “I’m sure that won’t be a problem. The gentlemen will be standing in line to dance with the belle of the ball. As long as we know who they all are.”
She laughed, lighting up those emerald eyes.
It took a concerted effort to pull his attention from her to address them all. “We have no idea if he’ll show or not. But if he should, we’re ready.” He pointed to several composites on the wall. “If Everett is our man, he may look like any of these or none of them. So just be vigilant. If anyone appears to beacting suspiciously, we want to know about it. You’ll know who we are because we’re all wearing yellow roses on our lapels. Any questions?”
The Hudsons looked at each other before shaking their heads.
“Okay, then. Have a wonderful evening.”
The family and their security detail made their way out of the room, Riley’s guys hanging back as she walked up to Colton.
“You look very nice tonight, Mr. Blankenship.”
“As do you. Beautiful as always.”
Her smile did that funny thing in his chest, as it had from that first day. “Thank you.”
He looked around for a moment before addressing Nowell. “Why don’t you guys go on into the ballroom? I need to speak with Riley for a minute. I’ll walk her over myself.”
“Yes, sir,” Nowell answered before leaving with Paul and Trevor.
Uncertainty clouded the previous light in her eyes. “Something wrong?”
Smiling, he scratched his temple. “I … well, I was hoping to see you before everything got started tonight.”
“Why’s that?”
“Oh, wait.” He reached back and under his jacket to the small box attached to his belt. “I forgot this was on.”
“What’s on?”
“My mic. Okay, now we’re alone.”
Her forehead furrowed. “So, why did you need to see me?”
“I have something for you. A belated Christmas gift, I guess you could say.”
Her jaw dropped. “Really?”
“I hope you don’t mind. I saw this and it just seemed like you. It’s nothing big.”
“Maybe I should be the judge of that.”
He pulled a small box out of his inside pocket and held it out to her. “Merry Christmas. A week late.”
At the time, he hadn’t been sure of the wisdom in buying her a gift. But during their midnight phone call a few days before, they’d built a bridge, of sorts. As if they could possibly reclaim the friendship he’d left in tatters with his clumsy exit.
After tearing the paper from the box, she opened it, and her eyes widened at the diamond heart-shaped pendant on a delicate gold chain sitting inside. “This is stunning.”
“It’s pretty modest compared to some of your other pieces, but I thought it looked like you. Elegant but not flashy. And you’re full of heart, so it seemed appropriate.”
“I love it. Thank you. May I wear it tonight?”
He was taken aback. His small gift with her spectacular ball gown? “Sure. If you’d like to.”
She removed it from the box and held it out for him to clasp around her neck. His skin tingled as his hands moved under her hair. This was the closest they’d been in weeks, and the power of it hadn’t diminished since that night.
“There you go.”
