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“Yes, he is. Do I know you? I don’t recognize anyone with masks.” The girl pointed to her bare face. “Plus, they’re so hot.”

I purposefully ignored her question, not wanting to tell her my name, and said, “So much drama this year with the lights, right?”

“So much. Legacy families think they can control everything.”

Legacy families? There were only a few legacy families in Cherry Ridge—and Ryan’s was one of them. Or maybe she was talking about Mrs. O’Leary. That had to be it. “So frustrating,” I said.

“Never thought I’d see your parents fighting so much with the O’Learys,” she said, turning her attention to Ryan. She obviously recognized him.

My eyes swung to Ryan in a question. His expression gave away nothing. Maybe the mask was hiding more than his face.

“Have a good night, Layton,” Ryan said, taking my free hand in his and leading me in the opposite direction.

“I didn’t know your parents were fighting with the O’Learys,” I whispered to Ryan.

“I didn’t either,” he said.

“I thought they were best friends. Wait, do you think the O’Learys are the ones suing?”

“You think Mrs. O’Leary would sue the city? She’s the one who started the entire tradition. She has the Season Kickoff in her own house every year!”

“Then…” His parents?

He tilted his head at me, like he could read my mind.

“I’m just trying to figure it all out,” I said.

“Is that why you came here? To figure this out?” I could hear the slight hurt in his voice.

“No.” I squeezed his hand in mine. “Not at all. I came here to be with you. To dance with you.”

“Can we do that then? Will you dance with me?”

I started to answer when I saw Fiona rushing toward us.

“Hello, pretties,” she said.

“It’s the stowaway,” Ryan said with a smile.

She gave a quick curtsy.

“You guys ready for the fun?” she asked.

“The fun?” Ryan tucked his arm around me, his hand resting on my waist. I covered it with mine, a smile stealing onto my face.

A noise sounded overhead, and I looked up to see a large canvas unfurling above us. It had to be thirty feet by twenty feet at least, and was hanging from the bottom of two upside-down Christmas trees. Painted across the banner were beautifully wrapped presents in reds and greens and blues. Cash was bursting out of the seams of the boxes. Across the top of the painting were the words: SEASON’S GREEDINGS! ’TIS THE SEASON FOR LINING OUR OWN POCKETS.

Ryan’s arm around my waist went tense.

The ballroom erupted in loud voices. Phones were out, everyone snapping pictures.

“So this was the reason you came?” Ryan said to me.

“No, I didn’t know.” I glanced over at Fiona, who had a wide smile on her face.

Someone reached up and grabbed the bottom of the banner, yanking on it. Nothing happened. They yanked again. This time a ripping sound rang out, followed by several ornaments falling to the ground and shattering. One last tug on the banner, and not only did the canvas break free, dropping to the ground, but the tree it was attached to came crashing down as well. I gasped, jumping back. Several people screamed, but the tree missed actually hitting anyone.

At the same moment, the alarm on my phone went off, loud in the suddenly quiet room. I fumbled with my clutch, pulled out my phone, and silenced it. Marcus would be waiting for me in the parking lot.