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“Hey, ladies! Ready to light up the party?” he asks.
Lindsey beams, giving him a twirl as well to showcase her festive look. “Absolutely! Mia’s got all the beauty secrets. I’m feeling like a glam queen!”
Zach chuckles, his eyes shifting to mine as he mouths a silentthank-you. “Well, you both look fantastic. I’m here to offer my escort services to the grand event. Shall we?”
“Let’s do this,” I agree, striding across the room to join them.
The opulent living room buzzes with the low hum of chatter and clinking glasses as cocktail hour unfolds, the air heavy with the fragrance of expensive perfumes and the tantalizing aroma of festive beverages. The white-trimmed tree casts a warm glow over the room, accentuating the elegant decor and the well-dressed attendees. For the second night in a row, I find myself playing host during cocktail hour and then into dinner, navigating the social intricacies of Daddy’s friends.
But tonight, I find it far less overwhelming.
Luke, with his disarming smile and easy charm, has effortlessly engaged a group of guests in conversation near the bar. Cilian, tall and mysterious, stands by the grand piano, sharing a laugh with a group of elegantly dressed women. And Zach spends quality time with his daughter, seeming over the moon by the fact that Lindsey’s proving happy to be here.
I weave through the sea of people, exchanging pleasantries and ensuring that everyone feels welcomed. And though I get a few questions asking for an update on Daddy’s travel plans, it seems that the guests have all had a relaxing enough day that they’re at ease with the festive atmosphere.
As the night progresses, it becomes clear that each of the men vying for my attention has found a comfortable way to share my time. Cilian teases me playfully, Zach offers enigmatic compliments, and Luke engages me in witty banter, but none seem to need me all to themselves.
And I wonder if the time I’ve spent with them individually over the past twenty-four hours has somehow solidified our relationships, so now, I can truly enjoy what each of them has to offer. It’s a delicate dance, and I find myself appreciating their efforts to make the evening enjoyable for me, regardless of the reason behind it.
The time comes for the conclusion of the silent auction, the event that will kick off the Christmas Eve ball, and my stomach has butterflies as I think about how I’ll have to be dancing with someone shortly, performing for all to see.
I take the stage, the spotlight turning my emerald-green gown into a shimmering display. The anticipation in the room is palpable as I welcome them all once again to my father’s holiday retreat, assuring them that he will be joining us as soon as the weather permits. Then I turn my attention to the auction.
“As is tradition, I’ll read the items, not in the order of the twelve days of Christmas, but from lowest to highest final bid. That way, we give our highest bidder and most generous donor the recognition they deserve!” I announce, to raucous applause.
Then I glance down at the results. Surprise registers as I realize I’m not the lowest-bid item on the list. A slight disappointment makes my stomach sink—it would have been nice to get that announcement out of the way. Oh, well. I begin to read off the winners of each decadent prize, announcing the charities their generosity will support.
“First, we have the year’s supply of fruit from Partridge and Wren,” I say, scanning the crowd for the winning bid. “And the winner is… Mrs. Eleanor Thompson! Congratulations, and thank you for supporting the National Alliance to End Homelessness.”
Applause fills the room as the prizes and charities are announced one by one. The atmosphere is electric, each bid contributing to a worthy cause. The generosity of the attendees warms my heart, and I can’t help but feel a sense of pride for my father’s charitable event.
The sums behind the bids this year are quite impressive, and as we near the end of the list, I try to hide my frown as my confusion mounts.Did the staff decide to leave my dance off the list entirely because no one bid on it at all?That would be a first. And a massive relief.
But as I approach the final item on the list, the spotlight seems to intensify, raising a bead of sweat on my brow as I realize it’s me. My dance received the highest bid. My eyes widen as I read the amount, my voice catching for a moment.
“And now, for the last item of the evening,ninespecial dances with yours truly,” I announce with a practiced mile, though my heart races, “The winning bid is… an astonishing one hundred thousand dollars!”
Gasps ripple through the crowd as they process the hefty sum. I glance at the bid sheet again, my astonishment growing as I see the name next to the amount. Cilian.
“Cilian O’Conner,” I say, my voice breathy with shock. “Thank you for your generous bid, and congratulations. Your contribution will be going to the Save the Children Foundation.”
The room erupts in applause, but my attention is solely on Cilian. He stands, a slight smile playing on his lips, and makes his way toward the stage. The intensity of his gaze sends a shiver down my spine, and I can’t help but blush as he reaches the platform.
19
ZACHARY
The ballroom is alive with the soft hum of laughter and the elegant rustle of gowns as the much-anticipated Christmas Eve ball begins. I stand on the outskirts, watching Mia in her festive green dress as she gracefully descends the stage steps, her hand lightly clasping Cilian’s.
It could be a scene straight out of a fairy tale as he guides her carefully down, holding one arm behind his back in a gentlemanly pose. But the bitter taste of disappointment lingers in my mouth. It was like a punch in the gut to hear that Cilian will be dancing with Mia. I can’t believe he managed to sneak in and outbid me.
Luke sidles up beside me in his finest suit, his blue tie accentuating the silver in his hair and the color of his eyes. He’s a sharp dresser, I have to admit. Though I’m not so bad myself in a black suit and tie to match the formal occasion.
My eyes shift back to the couple at the center of the crowd’s attention, following Mia’s movements as her long legs call attention to themselves beneath her flirty tulle skirt.
“Can you believe this?” Luke mutters, his voice edged with disbelief as they make their way onto the dance floor.
I shake my head, my jaw clenched. “I had it all planned. I watched and waited to make sure I placed the final bid. Cilian must have swooped in and stolen the dance right as the auction was closing. Unbelievable. And what’s with the exorbitant amount when he knew he would be the last bid? I mean, yes, it goes to a good cause, and Mia’s definitely worth every penny. But a hundred thousand dollars? Really? What’s he trying to prove?”
