Claire approached the nearest table to compare what Tai hadnotvetoed. The centerpieces were appropriately classic, shallow glass bowls that held real evergreen and red poinsettias as well as a single white candle. The candle had been set off-center in a way that looked both deliberate and interesting, drawing the eye to study the rest of the arrangement in a way one might otherwise overlook.
“Not too tall,” Claire said. “So people can talk easily across the table?”
“Exactly.” He gave her a grin that made his platinum eyes flash. “Nobody would get to know anybody around a twenty-inch snowman.”
“It’s all really lovely, Tai.” She turned a full circle and took in the draped garland, the single full-size fir tree in one corner, decorated in red and gold. “Oh, is that a dance floor?”
“It’s become a tradition at this event. We wind down with instrumental Christmas music and optional dancing.”
As the guest of the Director of Fundraising, Claire’s designated seat was at a table at the front of the room. Tai promised to join her there before the food was served. She watched him work the room, welcoming donors, shaking hands, even receiving a few hugs. Christmas in July was clearly a less formal occasion than many of the events she’d attended with him before, black tie dress code notwithstanding.
To her delight, Tai’s colleague Darlene already sat at their table. She took one look at Claire, and her blue-green eyes grew wide and sparkled with aquamarine.
“Well, well, well. Congratulations.”
Claire slid into her chair with a satisfying swish of her skirt. “What do you mean?”
“Honey, do you seriously think these eyes can’t see that silver scar from across a banquet table?”
Claire almost clapped her hand over the dip of her shoulder, a reflex to guard what was still so new and sweet and, yes, private. Instead a little smile tugged her mouth in spite of herself. “Oh, that.”
“Yes,that. I am over the moon for y’all. He’s a wonderful man, and I can tell you make each other happy.”
“He is, and we do.” And they’d barely gotten started. “Thanks, Darlene.”
Darlene didn’t comment further until, mere minutes before dinner was served, Tai took his seat beside Claire. He’d hardly greeted Darlene when she said, “Congratulations, Tai,” and nodded not toward Claire in general but toward her right shoulder.
Tai’s dark eyebrows shot up. He hadn’t thought of it either, the possibility another vampire might notice her scar. But then his joy won out, and his eyes crinkled with a smile that made Claire want to kiss him in front of Darlene and everybody.
“Thank you,” he said.
“You’re such kids. To have found your eternal so young—what y’all have must be really special.”
“Never too late,” Tai said with a wink.Darlene rolled her eyes, but she was grinning too. “If I want to find someone for me, then I’ll find them. But I’m relatively young too, you know. Not babies like y’all, but there’s no rush for a vampire.”
His eyes flickered.Reminded of his mom.With her new attunement to him, Claire didn’t have to guess; she simply knew. Then the split second was over, and he smiled.
The dinner menu was standard, but the quality was standout. While Tai fielded questions from one of the donors, Claire savored every bite of chicken piccata, creamy mashed potatoes,and roasted vegetables. The bread basket held perfectly crusty ciabatta, which she dipped to enjoy the last of the piccata sauce.
“It’s delicious,” she said when her plate was nearly clean. “It’s all so delicious.”
“I gathered as much when you completely stopped talking,” Tai said with a smirk.
She boxed his arm. “Not that I’m surprised, with you in charge.”
“More delegation. I’m glad you’re enjoying.”
He wasn’t distant, but he was occupied, the sharpness of his gaze roving over the room, scanning the guests at their table and beyond, making sure all was well and no one missed out on face time with him, if they wanted it. He’d slaked before they left, and of course he didn’tneedto eat. But Tai appreciated food the way she did, and she wished he could simply savor as she could.
As dessert was served, he stood up from the table, then leaned down to drop a kiss in her hair. “Be right back.”
Claire watched him stride over to the dance floor and claim a cordless mic from a lone stand. Barely six months ago, she’d first seen him in his element, discovered how natural he was with a mic in his hand and how much his work meant to him. And now here they were.
Bloodbound.
If she could talk to that recent-past self… Better yet, if she could go back three years. Tell that hurt, angry, guarded woman how authentic he really was. Tell her Ryker was right about him. But would that version of herself believe a three-years-older Claire who’d fallen in love? More likely she’d think Tai had fooled her somehow.
Tai held the mic at chin level and said, “Good evening.”
