Elijah catches my eye from the stage. He’s not smiling, but there’s warmth in his expression. Approval.
I shake my head, but I’m smiling as I turn back to my clipboard.
Tonight, I have a date with Ben Wilson. For the first time in my life, I’m actually looking forward to Valentine’s Day.
The restof the day passes in a blur.
Ben stays close, helping with heavy lifting, bringing me water and snacks. Every time our eyes meet, he grins at me.
Milo shows up around noon with lunch. “Thought you could use real food.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “Tonight’s going to be special. Trust us.”
By 5 p.m., everything is ready. The community center looks like something out of a romance movie—fairy lights, candles, Elijah’s stage standing proud.
I go home to change, my heart racing the whole time.
When I come back at 6:30, wearing a dark red dress that I bought specifically for tonight, the venue is already filling up. Couples finding their seats, volunteers doing final checks.
I find Mayor Bradley backstage, going over the auction lineup.
“Eight bachelors,” he says. “You’ll introduce each one, I’ll handle the bidding. Should be smooth.”
“Should be.”
“Nervous?”
“Why would I be nervous? I’ve done this twice before.”
He raises an eyebrow but doesn’t push.
I take my place at the side of the stage, clipboard in hand, watching the room fill up. The auction will start soon, and then after—dinner. The winners get to have dinner with the bachelors they won. It’s the whole point of the event.
That’s when I see him.
Ben is standing near the bar, talking to a beautiful woman.
She’s stunning. Dark hair, delicate features, a smile that lights up her whole face. She’s touching Ben’s arm—casual, familiar—and he’s leaning in to hear what she’s saying.
Something hot and ugly twists in my stomach.
He asked me to be his Valentine this morning. He kissed me. And now he’s?—
Ben laughs at something she says, and I want to march over there and stake my claim in front of everyone.
Which is insane. We had one kiss. One conversation. I have no right to feel this possessive.
But I do. God, I do.
“Tessa?” Mayor Bradley’s voice cuts through my spiral. “We’re ready to start.”
I tear my eyes away from Ben and his mystery woman. “Right. Yes. Let’s go.”
I climb the stairs to the stage, and the crowd quiets down. Fairy lights twinkle above me. Elijah’s stage is solid beneath my feet.
I can do this. I’ve done this before.
“Good evening, everyone!” My voice rings out clear and strong. “Welcome to Honeyridge Falls’ annual Valentine’s Day fundraiser!”
Applause. Cheers. I spot Bea Wilson in the crowd with three alphas around her—River, Grayson, and Seth. She gives me an enthusiastic thumbs up.
