Page 106 of Trap ’N’ Trace

“Nonsense. It was my pleasure.” Again, she caught Walter eying the doors. “Looking for someone?”

“No.” Walter chuckled. “Just comparing cummerbunds.”

They all laughed, and for the first time that night, Kat thought she might actually survive the party.

Loud clinking came from the front of the ballroom. Colin stood on the dais, tapping a knife on the side of his glass.

The worst part of the party was about to commence. Standing in front of two hundred guests and pasting on more smiles she didn’t feel in the slightest.

“Katrina,” Colin called out. “Would you please come up here?”

The ballroom quieted. Heads turned her way.

“You can do this, Kat,” Emily whispered.

“Right. I can do this.” Suck it up. She walked to the stage, setting her glass on a nearby table, when what she really wanted was to chug the contents in one very un-ladylike slurpy gulp.

At the top step, Colin took her hand then set his glass down on the Baby Grand piano. Oh, faux pas. One did not do that to a Baby Grand. He clasped her shoulders as he leaned in to kiss her on the lips. As always, she presented her cheek. A hint of annoyance lit his eyes as he reached for his drink.

“Katrina.” He raised his glass, as did everyone in the room. “Happy birthday.”

“Happy birthday!” came two hundred voices, followed by applause.

Thank god they hadn’t sung the happy birthday song. Yet. That would probably come right before the cutting of that tasteless, five-tiered cake taking up an entire table in a corner of the ballroom. It couldn’t hold a candle to one of Francine’s or Lily’s cakes. Even Dayne’s cookie sandwiches would be preferable.

“I’d like to give you my gift first.” He set the flute back on the shiny black piano then pulled a small velvet box from his jacket pocket.

No. Oh hell no.

“Colin, don’t,” she whispered loud enough for him to hear. “I know I made myself clear. I can’t do this with you. Ever.” She reached out to stop him before he opened the box, but he ignored her and went down on one knee, flipping open the lid. She groaned, experiencing a dropping sensation in the pit of her stomach. Gasps came from the crowd. This was worse than she could possibly have imagined.

Over the past two weeks the rift between her and Colin had grown, but embarrassing him in front of two hundred people wasn’t her style. Then again, he’d done this to himself.

“Katrina, will you marry me?”

She opened her mouth to politely, yet firmly, reject his offer when a deep voice boomed from the ballroom doors.

“No. She won’t.”

Dayne!

Her heart fluttered, and her insides began tingling so much her entire body seemed to vibrate with hopeful energy. She could barely breathe. He’s really here.

He shoved one hand in his tuxedo pants pocket. In his other hand was a gift-wrapped package. Remy and Angus sat on either side, each wearing white bows around their collars.

“At least,” he continued, “not until I give her my gift.”

Everyone watched as he strode past the tables. Whispers accompanied his progress as he wended his way through the crowd that parted in his path.

“Is that a dog?” someone said. “I didn’t think you could bring a dog in here.”

“Katrina!” Colin reached for her, his face livid.

She evaded him and met Dayne at the bottom of the stairs.

“You’re not on the guest list,” Colin hissed from the dais.

“I invited him.” Walter beamed a thousand-watt smile at Kat, one that thoroughly explained his surreptitious glances at the ballroom doors.