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Emma may have been even younger than Hunter, but she had the maturity of ten Hunters and knew how to behave at award nights.
“Eleven years is nothing. You two are meant to be.”
“It’s a lot at his age. He’s not ready for things. He’s not ready for a family.”
My mother shushed us from across the table, and I shimmied my ass to the chair’s edge. The lights dimmed and voices hushed, as everyone focused on the stage.
“I’m not ready for kids either. I’ve babysat enough of my nieces and nephews for three lifetimes. Besides, I have school, and Eric is my brother’s best friend, so it’s not like that’s going to happen.”
“Enjoy life before settling. Have fun while you can.”
Emma rolled her eyes. “Says the woman with an escort as a date because her boyfriend’s too immature.”
“He has a good heart but makes bad choices.”
“He chose you.”
Touché.
“If I wanted a lecture, Ems, I’d sit beside my mother. I grew up with four brothers, my twin included. Trust me, you don’t need your brother’s permission to date. Just have fun, test out the goods, and see what he’s like.”
“He’s a cowboy, rides horses, and reins in cattle. What else is there to know?” Emma reserved the dreamy look on her face for Eric Waters, a well-established cowboy. And since Emma Silver always got what she wanted, it was only a matter of time before she got Eric.
Someone kicked me underneath the table, and I jumped, catching my mother’s deadly stare. “You’ll miss it,” she hissed.
The MC walked out to the front of the stage and tapped the mike. The room’s focus shifted my way as soon as he introduced me as tonight’s guest of honor.
I walked up to the stage, my knees wobbling and heart pounding. Bright lights heated my face, condensing my sweat into drops. My speech flew out of my head as soon as I took the mike. I barely remembered the words as I accepted the Contessa award. I thanked my team and my parents, my aunt, and the rest of my family for their support and influence. My salon’s popularity couldn’t have grown without them. I gripped the golden award, lifting the trophy toward my family’s table, when my gaze caught a figure in the back corner by the bar. He was dressed in a black suit with a matching cape, and was leaning against a maple tree. A white mask covered half his face. The wind blew, branches swayed, and he disappeared into the tree’s shade. The applause settled, and the MC walked me down the stairs and back to my table, where Xavier pulled back my chair.
“Congratulations, darling.”
I set the award on the table, took a deep breath, and hugged my parents and my aunt. This was the night I’d waited so long for, yet it didn’t feel complete. Celebrating without Hunter wasn’t the same.
“Are you all right?” Xavier asked.
“Yes, thank you.”
The commotion settled as servers brought out the first course. Soft dinner music played overhead but did nothing to settle my nerves. I scanned the room until I felt someone’s stare on my back. I glanced over my shoulder, but no one was there. My heart hammered in my chest, and my hands shook.
“Can I get you anything to drink, Grace?” Xavier asked.
“A glass of rosé would be nice, thank you.”
Xavier snapped his fingers, and a moment later, a chilled glass stood in front of me. I gulped half down before my bladder reminded me it had filled twenty minutes ago.
“Excuse me. I need to use the washroom.” I pushed my chair back, and Xavier stood as well.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Emma asked.
“No, it’s all right. Your food will get cold.”
I turned on my heel, crossed the dining area, used the washroom, and broke away from the party and into the gardens. Moonlight illuminated a path with clumps of white carpet roses, and the smell of lavender filled the air. A warm evening breeze blew through my golden hair. I stood by the back fountain, watching the water splash, and then turned at the sound of approaching footsteps. A man in a cape similar to Xavier’s walked toward me, except his mask was a Phantom’s. I squinted. The corner of his mouth lifted, and a dimple sank into his cheek.
“Hunter? Is that you?”
“Hello, Gracie.”
Oh, no.
