“Let’s hope there are some fresh guys there tonight. I feel like everyone in Snowflake is happily coupled up. First Neva gets shacked up with Elden, then Taylor falls head over heels for Miles. My sisters are falling like dominoes but where’s my romantic happy ending?” She makes a grimace that looks ridiculous on her pretty face.
“Have faith. There’s someone for everyone. Remember that ‘the course of true love never did run smooth…’ I smile at her and raise an eyebrow.
“Is that Romeo and Juliet, college girl?” Bette’s smiling now.
“No, it’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It’s a comedy. Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy. And it will be a tragedy, forsooth, if we’re late.” I flap my mask at her.
“Ok, brainiac. Let’s hustle.” Bette strides out the door, slipping very slightly on the snow in her heels. I can’t face high heels so I’ve worn flats so my feet don’t hurt tonight.
Arriving at the town hall, it’s been transformed with colored lights and flowers in a huge arch over the door. Inside, there’s a violet glow which lights up everyone’s costumes. Flowers from Caputo’s are arranged artfully - by my Mom, not me - in strategic positions where they’ll get the most attention.
My Mom comes to greet us. Even with a mask on, there’s no escaping her maternal radar. She’s in a neon green evening gown that’s so bright it means she can be seen by everyone in a five mile radius.
“Hey girls. You both look beautiful. Can I get you something to drink?” She gestures at the bar.
“Hey Mrs Caputo. No worries, I’ll grab Jules and me a drink.” Bette slinks off to the bar, attracting admiring glances as she works her way through the crowd.
“Honey, I want you to meet someone. You see that guy over there?” My mom very obviously points to a guy in a bright blue suit. He’s groomed within an inch of his life and although he’s handsome has that sophisticated, rich-and-I-know-it energy. Not my type. “That’s Mr Paris. He’s made a lot of money doing something in cryptocurrency and now he’s going to invest in the town. Stay here and I’ll bring him over.” She doesn’t give me the chance to answer and strides off in his direction.
I look over to the bar, where Bette is deep in conversation with the cute bartender. No rescue there. My mom has reached Mr Paris, who looks over at me and winks.
Oh no. This feels like a set up.
Pity. It seems like a waste of a party.
Chapter Two
Roman
I’m not in the mood for a party.
Especially not some Caputo party.
If it weren't for Ben persuading me I needed to have some fun, I’d be at home with my feet up watching some Netflix.
Today was a busy day. First day delivering for Montag’s, with the added pressure of it being my family’s business and all. With my Dad as my boss. No pressure, then.
I’ve been working away on the rig for the last four years, but I’ve come back to train to become a firefighter. This makes my Mom so proud she’s about to explode. When I was a little kid I would stand still gazing in awe at the fire trucks and I guess that’s never left me.
I’m paying my way by doing ad hoc deliveries for the family business and in return I get to sleep in the apartment above the delivery office. It’s not forever, so that’s okay.
Also this girl Rose who Ben set me up with, has been texting me wanting to set up a meeting. She’s sent me about 30 texts, one after another, without waiting for a reply, which is pretty intense. She’s a nice-looking girl but I’m not a player and I think she wants a hook-up situation.
I’m not a party guy, but I like to have a good time and Ben has been harping at me to have some fun since I’ve been back. He’s convinced he’ll find the girl of his dreams at this big Caputo event and he’s persuaded me that since everyone is dressed up and wearing masks, no one will recognize a rogue Montag crashing the party. I have to admit it’s been kind of fun to wear a tuxedo and one of those eye mask things, sort of like James Bond in incognito mode.
I’ve been away for Snowflake Falls for a while, so I’m enjoying standing by the bar and trying to guess who the locals are. Brothers Tannen and Elden are pretty obvious despite their gold masks - they’re both around my height and I’ve known them both since we were kids. There’s a guy in a full-face sparkly mask who’s giving me a death stare. His hair is super blonde, almost white, so I’m guessing it’s Ty Caputo. I’m not sure if he’s recognized me or he’s just jealous of my tux. If it’s Ty, he has a reputation for being hot-headed. The last thing I want is to get into a fight on Caputo turf.
I move away from the bar towards the middle of the room. My eye is caught by a girl in a white satin dress, with chocolate-colored hair piled up in ringlets and a deep cleavage. I’m not the only one looking at her - she’s being scoped by some smooth-looking dude in an electric blue suit. I stop to take a better look, but she moves quickly away towards a wall of flowers. There’s a waiter with a tray of champagne nearby, so I ask him if he knows who that girl is. He laughs and says “Not with the mask on, buddy!”
Without thinking, I follow her retreating form, wanting to see her properly.
But she’s disappeared. I move closer to the wall.
From the other side of the semi-transparent flower-covered wall I can just see a white-clad form. Is it her?
I pause by the wall and look through it. The girl is at the end, standing perfectly still. Even with the glittery eye mask she’s wearing I can tell how beautiful she is. My breath catches a little as I ask: “Hey, who you hiding from?”
Her head turns in the direction of my voice. “Who’s that?”
