The crowd moves toward the chairs arranged in front of the stage. I try to focus on finding a seat in the back, but the girls and their spouses gather in the front row as if it were reserved just for them. Anticipating me making a run for it, Bree wedges me between herself and Fletch.
With a slight grumble, I get my bearings and find the location of the nearest exit, just in case. Then I spothimby the side wall, where he can see everything but remain just out of the spotlight.
Smart. I’d probably do the same thing if I weren’t here with friends who attract attention like flowers attract honeybees.
The hypnotist takes the stage. He’s a pleasant-looking man in his fifties with a friendly smile that suggests we should trust him. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to what I promise will be an unforgettable start to your new year. I’m Lucian Little and I defy you not to be amazed and astounded by what you’re about to experience. You won’t witness wizardry or trickery tonight, but perhaps a miracle or a bit of matchmaking magic.”
The crowd applauds politely. Bree is practically bouncing in her seat.
“Please understand that hypnosis is all about belief,” Lucian continues. “Belief in the power of suggestion, belief in the connection between mind and heart, belief in possibilities you might never have considered. Who here believes in the impossible?”
Hands shoot up around the room. Not mine. Bree is so enthusiastic that she nearly thwacks me in the face. Fletch seems less inclined to participate. Thank goodness someone has good sense.
“Wonderful! Now, I’ll need a volunteer. Someone open to new experiences, willing to trust the process, and most importantly, single.”
That last one catches me by surprise. Then again, Lucian did say something about matchmaking.
Before I can object, before I can even process what’s happening, Bree’s hand shoots up again.
Pointing at me, she calls, “My friend Nina! She’s perfect! She’s focused, successful—she can even decorate elaborate wedding cakes—and she’s unattached!”
Every head in the room turns toward me. Including, I notice with horror, the one belonging to those intense green eyes from across the room.
“Bree Darling,” I hiss under my breath, “For that, I’m issuing a thirty-day Busy Bee pastry ban?—”
But the hypnotist is already approaching, waving me toward the stage. His smile is warm and encouraging. “Nice to meet you, Nina. Would you be willing to help me demonstrate the power of belief?”
The audience watches expectantly. Bree is grinning like she just solved world hunger and all of my problems at the same time. And in my peripheral vision, the guy with green eyes is definitely paying attention. Jitters rush through me.
Lucian guides me toward the stage.
“I don’t really believe in hypnosis,” I admit.
“That’s perfectly fine,” he says kindly.
I’d also like to state for the record that I’m only doing this to be a sport and not disappoint my friends, but keep my mouth shut.
“Tell me, do you believe in the power of suggestion? In the way our minds can surprise us when we let our guard down?”
I think about bread dough, how it transforms with time and patience and the right conditions. “I believe in yeast and butter temperatures and exact measurements.”
The crowd chuckles, and my cheeks get warm. I tell myself that it’s probably the stage lighting and not because everyone is staring at me up here, includinghim.
“Fair enough. What about love, Nina? Do you believe in true love?”
Lucian holds my gaze, but it’s different from how the guy on the dance floor and I looked at each other. It’s almost like Lucian is peering past my skin and skeleton and into my brain, whereas the guy with green eyes was seeing my heart.
I have the vague awareness that thought sounds a lot like something Bree would write in one of her romance novels.
But the question catches me off guard. My voice softens without my express permission. “I want to believe in the kind that lasts. The kind that chooses to stay.”
The slight hitch as he blinks catches my attention as if he noted my distinct choice of words.I want to believe. Words I didn’t anticipate saying, much like choosing a word of the year rather than a resolution.
Rise.
Look at me, I’m already rising to the occasion and playing along. New Year’s goals crushed!
He continues, “Do you someday want to fall in love and get married?”
