“Since this is Kat’s first time joining us for our Christmas Wish tradition, we’ll let her go first,” Elaine began, beaming in her direction. “All you have to do is share one wish you’d like to come true before the end of the year.”
“Out loud?” Kat asked hesitantly. Weren’t you supposed to keep wishes a secret or else they wouldn’t come true?
“We don’t believe in silly superstitions,” Rich added with an air of authority. “Saying a wish out loud gives it power, like an affirmation.”
“Okay…” Still uncertain, Kat glanced at Jack.
He gave her a smile of encouragement.
“Let’s see…” She toyed with the stem of her glass. One of her wishes had already come true—about five minutes earlier, to be precise. So, she said the only other thing that came to mind. “I wish I could find a way to save Hope Hideaway from closing.”
“Hope Hideaway?” Elaine asked.
“It’s a women’s shelter where I work.” She chose not to add that it was also where she lived, not wanting to arouse too many questions.
“It’s on the verge of closing?” Rich repeated for clarification.
Jack shifted by her side but remained silent.
“It is, unfortunately. We lost two of our top donors several months ago.” Everyone stared at her with open concern bordering on pity, and Kat sank further into the cushions, wishing she’d never mentioned it. “I’m sure something will work out, though.”
Jack squirmed as though a feather from one of the down throw pillows was sticking in his side.
“How are you sure?” Rich prodded. “Do you have a plan of action in place?”
“Um…” Kat glanced at Jack again.
He stared into his glass, his jaw firmly clenched.
“Let’s move on,” he muttered. “Who’s next?”
“Hold on a minute.” Rich stood and set down his drink. “How much do you need?”
“I—I beg your pardon?” Kat stammered, heat creeping up her neck.
“Money. How much money does the shelter need to stay open?”
To her surprise, he pulled a leather-bound checkbook from inside his suit jacket.
“Oh, you don’t have to—”
“Nonsense.” He slipped a Montblanc pen from the same pocket and flipped the checkbook open. “It isn’t every Christmas we can make someone’s wish come true. This time, we have the means to help and that’s exactly what I intend to do. Now, how much do you need?”
Kat heard Jack grind his teeth by her side, but she felt trapped. “I don’t know,” she murmured helplessly.
“Never mind, then. This should be enough.” Rich scribbled a number on the check before tearing it off and handing it to her.
Her cheeks colored at the substantial number of zeros. “Thank you.” Her words sounded more like a question than a statement, but Rich didn’t seem to notice as he slipped his checkbook and pen back into his pocket.
“Who’s next? Tonight, I’m in the business of granting wishes.”
Everyone chuckled. Except for Jack.
When she braved another glance, his features were set in hard, grim lines.
And although he sat right next to her, he’d never felt so far away.
Chapter 25
