“This morning. I just drove into the city. Rebecca jumped in the car and demanded I come pick you up.”
“How was Turkey?” I ask. He’s been there the last few weeks visiting his in-laws.
“Amazing. We all need to get to Bodrum together. It’s fun times.”
“As much as I love the chit-chat, this place is close, and I need you to put this on Jules.” Becks holds up a mask.
“What in the…”
She shrugs. “I didn’t know either. Apparently, it’s a masquerade party. I had to pay an arm and a leg to get these shipped the same day.”
I take the delicate, ornate mask in my hands and stare with rapt appreciation at the masterpiece. I glance up to see Becks fastening hers around her head, and my breath hitches.
“Becks,” I murmur, reaching to run my fingers along her lace and velvet bunny mask. “Will everyone have elaborate pieces like this?” I glance back down to my butterfly mask.
The base is gold, and on one side, it looks like a typical mask hand-painted with purple Venetian motifs. The other side is sculpted into a beautiful oversized butterfly wing, doubling the size of my head, made from purple and gold metal, dressed with small diamonds and pearls.
It’s gorgeous.
She helps tie mine securely. “Of course. The person who invited us showed me pictures from last year. People go all out.”
“You never did say who invited you.”
She smirks. “I know. Let’s go, my pretty butterfly. Time for the show.”
He’s here.
Harrison Davenport is standing across the party in a blackPhantom of the Operamask, and I’m doing everything in my power not to pass out right here on the spot.
What is with this man and his power over me?
“Is this a work event?” I hiss at Becks.
She knows I was all flustered over him. Why wouldn’t she tell me?
I’ve been so busy juggling everything and trying to figure out the next steps with the bakery that I didn’t even put two and two together that this charity event could be work-related.
“No, well…”
“Well, what?” I snap.
She eyes me with annoyance. “What is your issue?”
“Harrison is here standing across the room with a group of men.” I take a deep breath, I don’t know why I’m getting so worked up about this, but it would have been nice to get a heads up for fuck’s sake.
We both turn toward the guys, and just like at the restaurant, my eyes are glued to him, triggering a rush of heat to spread through my body. I take a deep breath to expel any extra energy because I’m almost positive it’s not normal to be this excited over a stranger.
“Oh shit,” Becks mutters.
“What? What are youoh shittingabout?” I asked, panicked.
Her eyes widen. “You need to take a freaking chill pill. You look like a crackhead.”
“How do you even know what that looks like?”
She shrugs. “I live downtown.”
I roll my eyes, unimpressed. “Spit out why you said it.”
