“Well put.” He glanced around. “I haven’t seen Mark. Is he here?”
“He is. We have a Fitz and Collier table. I’ll tell him you asked about him. I swear, Brigit, you look so much like my old friend. They say everyone has a double. Now I believe it!”
“Pleasure meeting you.” Brigit hoped she wasn’t sporting the zombie look.Too close.
To her surprise and delight, Seth and his wife, Barbara, along with clients Frederick and Alyssa Mundy, were already seated at their table.
Seth hugged Brigit, then gave Colton a hardy handshake. “As I’d expect, things going well?”
“Very well.” Colton pulled out Brigit’s chair. “Brigit’s doing a fantastic job.”
Brigit pulled her dress train around and sat. “I’m doing my best to manage Colton’s portfolio.”
“Did I call this one or what?” Seth exclaimed.
“Goodness, honey, a little humility goes a long way,” Barbara said. “Business aside, you two look stunning together.”
Brigit’s face warmed. “Oh, no, we’re just—”
“Thank you,” Colton said, then facilitated introductions.
Inwardly, she smiled. Rather than draw attention by protesting, Colton was being polite. She snuck a peek at him. Did they look like they belonged together?
During dinner Colton said very little, ensuring all guests had ample time to carry the conversation, but Brigit could tell he was still perturbed by Montgomery’s threat. At nine thirty, Colton whispered, “Check my teeth for spinach.” His grin sent her heart into a flutter.
“Nice choppers. Are they real?” With a playful smile, she nodded. “You’re good.”
“But I’m better with you,” he murmured.
Her heart bloomed.What a charmer.
After excusing himself, he walked onstage and stepped up to the podium. “Good evening.” As Colton waited for the chatter to die down, he slipped his hand into his pocket and smiled at the crowd.
He looks like speaking to seven hundred is no big deal.
“For those I haven’t had the privilege of meeting, I’m Colton Mitus. Along with cohost Crockett Wilde, I’d like to welcome you to our intimate little gathering.”
Brimming with confidence, his charismatic delivery held everyone’s attention, including hers.
His message focused on the charity and the value of a donation. After introducing the ten guests of honor—veterans and their families—he cited how the organization provided customized homes or specialized wheelchairs with those funds.
Was his speech memorized or was he speaking extemporaneously? He knew when to pause, when to insert humor, and when to make his earnest plea for those in need, who’d served their country so admirably.
“Tonight I ask that everyone givesomething.” Pausing, he gazed around the ballroom. “Make a positive difference by adding a zero to your pledge.”
Brigit pulled her checkbook from her evening bag. She would have donated regardless, but his impassioned speech left her with a newfound respect for the man she’d once believed was motivated solely by his own financial gain.
34
THE HYPNOTIST
Anger clouded Colton’s thoughts. If he weren’t flush in the spotlight at this multimillion-dollar charity event, he would have decked Montgomery, then had him thrown out. Forcing a smile, he set the stage for the evening’s entertainment. “We’re in for a treat this evening. Renowned hypnotist Jerry Gardner is joining us.”
The guests broke into applause.
“And my cohost, Crockett Wilde, has agreed to be hypnotized. Let’s give Crockett a warm welcome.”
As Crockett walked onto the stage, several women hollered catcalls. “You’ve got admirers.” Smiling, Colton shook Crockett’s hand.
