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Briggs pointed toward Easton. “That was romantic.”
“Nothing you say about relationships currently counts,” I told him.
Briggs’s face changed just enough to make me regret allowing the joke to land there.
I reached over and knocked my knuckles lightly against his shoulder.
He looked at me.
“You know what I mean.”
“Yeah.” He took another drink. “I know.”
The silence lasted less than five seconds before Easton ruined it.
“So, the plan is you make Lance furious by existing.”
“Already accomplished.”
“You touch Charm.”
“I was going to do that anyway.”
“You watch whether she panics.”
“I observe.”
“That is watching with extra education.”
“I have a degree. Let me use it.”
Briggs grinned. “And Sunday you dramatically leave for Milwaukee while pretending the weekend did nothing.”
“I’m not pretending shit.”
“Sure.”
“Keep pushing and I’ll put you in the retirement community Bliss dressed you for.”
He laughed and lifted his drink.
Rider glanced toward the ballroom entrance. “Speaking of family.”
A hand settled on my shoulder.
Every muscle in my body tightened before I turned, instinct moving faster than thought after spending the entire evening waiting for Lance to appear.
Crystal Harlen immediately stepped back and lifted her hand away.
The shorter hair registered first. It fell softly around her shoulders instead of being arranged into the polished style I remembered. She looked thinner through the face, though exhaustion rather than illness seemed responsible. Her pale dress fit every standard of quiet elegance Lance expected from anyone carrying his name.
Seeing her meant he had already entered the castle. My eyes moved beyond her before I could stop them.
Crystal noticed. “Ryan.”
I lifted my hat, dragged one hand through my hair, then shoved it back into place. “What?”
“Could I speak with you?”
