Page 83 of Wild Promise

He went completely still.

His gaze moved over the dress, then back to my face, and his lips parted. His hands came out of his pockets, then went back in, then came out again.

“Hey,” I managed.

“Hey.” His voice was rough. Like the word had to fight its way out. “Melina, I need to talk?—”

“I know.” I cut him off before he could finish, because if he started now, I’d fall apart, and I still had a job to do. “And I need to talk to you too. But not yet. Okay?”

He swallowed hard and nodded.

The lights flashed before either of us could say anything else.

A spotlight fell on the raised podium beside the DJ table, and a tall, well-dressed man with silver hair stepped up to the microphone. I’d never met Glenn Alexander in person, but the family resemblance was unmistakable.

Beside me, Zane went rigid.

“Good evening, everyone,” he greeted. “My name is Glenn Alexander, and I’m one of the co-owners of this resort.”

The crowd quieted, and tension radiated off Zane in waves.

“I wanted to thank you all for being here tonight, including this year’s sponsor, Noma,” Glenn continued. “This is the twenty-second time Copper Ridge Resort has hosted this annual event. And it’s an honor to welcome you all.”

Applause rippled through the room, but Glenn held up his hands.

“This is a very special night. This year, the Winter Festival Dance and the entire Noma retreat are bigger and better than ever before.” His face cracked into a warm smile, and his gaze swept the room until he found me. “And it’s all thanks to our newly promoted Special Events Coordinator, Melina Marshall. A young woman who earned this position through sheer talent, dedication, and the kind of work ethic that puts the rest of us to shame. Congratulations, Melina.”

Zane started clapping hard beside me, his eyes locked on mine. The look on his face was pure, unguarded, fierce pride. Like watching me succeed was the best thing that had ever happened to him.

“That’s my girl,” he said, low enough that only I could hear.

And that was what broke me. Not Glenn’s words or the applause or the promotion I’d bled for. It was him. Standing beside me, proud of me, after everything I’d done to push him away.

Tears spilled before I could stop them.

Someone let out a loud whistle, and I looked to my family. Lucy was bouncing in her seat, and Olivia shot me a wink. And Dad…God, my dad was clapping and cheering like a fool.

Glenn waited for the applause to settle. “I also have a family announcement.” His tone shifted, and my pulse spiked even though I’d been waiting for this moment all day. “As some of you may know, Copper Ridge is part of my family’s legacy. My grandfather started it when he was a young, adventurous man. He passed it down to my father, who then passed it to myself and my brother, Bowen.” He paused. “Well…Bowen has sold his stake in the resort.”

A murmur moved through the crowd.

I reached for Zane’s hand.

His fingers were cold and stiff when mine closed around them, and a tremor ran through him. He didn’t look at me. He was staring at Glenn, his face drained of color, his body locked in place.

“I’m very pleased to announce that, as of this morning, the new co-owner of Copper Ridge Resort is my nephew—Zane Alexander.”

The noise was deafening.

Zane didn’t move. Didn’t clap. Didn’t react at all, except for his hand clamping down on mine so hard my knuckles ached. His breathing was shallow and fast. When I looked up at him, his eyes were wide and his mouth hung open.

“Three generations of Alexanders have built this place,” Glenn said, his voice rougher now. “And I couldn’t be prouder of the one who’s stepping up to carry it forward.”

Cheers swelled through the ballroom as people turned, searching the room for him, looking to congratulate and pat him on the back.

But Zane wasn’t paying attention to any of them.

He was staring at me.