Page 38

This might be a party, but Bia Pearl was here to play her part—just like any other scene. All that mattered was the chance to smile for the cameras. If only the dress code allowed sweatpants and flip-flops.

At the opened double front door stood a woman wearing an expression darker than her charcoal knee-length dress. Her peppered hair was slicked back in a bun so tight it seemed to lift her thin brows while her frown deepened. Not exactly the expected welcome at a fundraiser event.

Bianca picked up the front of her dress and pressed on a smile. Her heels clicked on the gold-and-black swirled marble just offbeat to the jazz music playing somewhere beyond the narrow hall.

The woman adjusted her grip on the leather folder pressed against her chest. “Invitation?”

Bianca opened her clutch and produced the shiny golden ticket. Invitation, phone, and black-tie-appropriate attire. Check. See? She didn’t need Hollywood’s top-tier agent. But someone on her side would be a plus for a change. “I’m so glad the rain held off. Knowing my luck, I probably would’ve broken a heel in a puddle.”

The woman raised one of her penciled brows. “Yes, well, most of tonight’s invitees arrived by chauffer.”

Bianca secured her clutch under her arm. Everything accounted for minus the whole tardy thing and chauffer. Still a win. As long as she found her costar, Carter Cane.

The woman placed Bianca’s offered golden ticket inside a folder on the table. “Enjoy the evening, Ms. Pearl.”

Bianca stepped around the woman. “Please tell me I haven’t missed the mayor’s welcome speech.”

Even if she had, there would be time for someone to take pictures of her and Carter. Her contract and movie depended on it. So did her wallet and promises.

The woman slid in front of Bianca. “I’m afraid I can’t let you in.”

Bianca glanced behind her. But no one else was there. “You can’t let me into the auction?”

Was this some kind of hidden test? The tabloids had been labeling her with all kinds of lies for years. However, a hot-tempered actress she was not. At least, not normally. “Is there another volunteer I could speak with? I think there’s some confusion.”

The woman bristled. “I’m Janice Nelson, the mayor’s new assistant. There is no confusion. You will not be entering on my watch.”

Bianca pushed back her should-have-been-more-curled hair. “What exactly did that ticket I gave you do? If it’s because I’m late, I promise you, none of the people on flight 412 enjoyed the unexpected seven-hour layover. And having to change into this dress at a gas station down the road wasn’t exactly on my itinerary; however, I would recommend their homemade peach turnovers.”

Plus, she may or may not have gotten lost trying to find a town she’d never heard of. Last Chance County wasn’t exactly LA.

Janice lifted her chin. “Tardiness, though frowned upon, is not the reason. I’m afraid you are not dressed for this event.”

Bianca ran her hand down the front of her dress. Velvet may not yet be back in style, but when fashioned into a flowing floor-length, off-the-shoulder dress stained the color of rubies, it was very much appropriate for a formal evening. Even if her outfit cost less than the dinner plate during tonight’s fundraiser auction. “I guess I missed the memo about wearing our cat pajamas. Or were we supposed to wear our puppy ones? And I’m really bummed about missing out on wearing my flip-flops.”

Not even a twitch of a smile. Apparently, it was a good thing Bianca’s current movie wasn’t a comedy.

Janice checked her watch. “You’re missing your mystery mask.”

Bianca rubbed the spot between her temples. If she grimaced any longer, there would be talk about her worry lines over her ex instead of what kind of budding relationship she and Carter might be forming on set. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what a mystery mask is.”

Janice drew in a long inhale through her pointed nose. “Your event mask for the masquerade auction. Part of the mayor’s requirement for the evening’s event.”

Bianca swatted her forehead. “Oh, masquerade . Somehow, I heard mystery .” Only Bianca found this laughable. The red-eye flight here was supposed to have created more time to rest. Not what the day had become.

Janice heaved a sigh and threw open her folder. “Here.” She handed over a white domino mask with a single row of tiny pearls that ran parallel with the rounded edges. “Don’t take this off until the grand live reveal.”

Now, the grand live reveal Bianca did know about, and she wasn’t looking forward to kissing Carter—pretend or not. But the movie’s success depended on a social-media takeover, which would ignite tonight with one perfectly timed photo op.

Lord, please let me not have made a mistake by accepting this role.

Bianca slipped the mask on over her eyes. Just another season of pretending. Then the world would see who she really was, and she’d have the money needed to prove to her family that she kept her promises. That she had changed for the good.

Janice scrutinized her for two more of Bianca’s heartbeats before finally stepping aside and opening the doors behind her. “The mayor thanks you for your support for his reelection campaign, and remember, half of tonight’s proceeds go to a worthy cause.”

Supporting a campaign? “Actually, I’m only here because the director arranged?—”

“Step inside, Ms. Pearl.”

Right. Bianca picked up the front of her dress. It was probably wise she hadn’t joked about where the other half of the money went tonight.

Dimmed chandeliers hung from beamed rafters. Tables dressed with black tablecloths and white flower arrangements made an S shape in the rectangular room. It seemed black tie applied to all, decorations included. The stage was in the center, surrounded by a tile dance floor over the carpet. Music drifted from the band, and Bianca tapped her finger on her purse to the beat.

A windowed wall led out to a patio larger than Bianca’s current apartment. That was now the only thing she missed about her ex—his house. But looking back, she should have known Nathan hadn’t been truthful about who even owned his house. Right now, she’d settle for the court to find the money that had disappeared when they had frozen her account. And for Nathan to stop trying to contact her.

The judge may have exonerated him, but Bianca knew the truth. Too bad no one believed her.

The women at the table nearest to the door had enough feathers on their masks to stuff at least three pillows. Servers in all white carried trays of drinks or food that didn’t look big enough to even be one bite. The air smelled like sweet citrus, either from the appetizers or the combination of perfumes swirling about.

Security guarded each of the exits, and they were the only ones whose identities weren’t hidden by masquerade masks. Flowers and feathers and decorations made it difficult to find which tables had open seats.

Good thing she and Carter had exchanged numbers at the cast reading. Bianca sent off a text.

Bianca

Where are you seated?

She checked the tables in the first two rows. No open seats. No lone, tall, broad-shouldered men.

Wait. The far corner table contained an open seat. And a masked man in a navy suit with his arm around an empty chair. With the right styled hair and a magazine-worthy jawline.

Had to be Carter.

Bianca wound her way past the other tables and nodded at those already seated. As she slipped into the open chair, she placed her hand on Carter’s shoulder. “So sorry I’m late. You will never guess what happened. The?—”

“Did it have to do with the sunshiny doorkeeper? Because Janice made me park in the back parking lot. If I had to guess, she’s allergic to vehicles not made in this decade. Either that or maybe people in general. And I’d bet she’s probably related to the puppet who lives in the trashcan.” The man’s deep voice had Bianca locking gazes with a dark-eyed stranger.

A quick intake of breath, and then Bianca slid her hand away. “You’re not Carter.”

The man placed his palm over his heart while a toothpaste-ad-worthy smile stole all of her focus. “Somehow, I’m disappointed now too. I’m only Eddie.”

“Shh!” The older woman to his right leaned into Bianca’s space and sent them both a glare. “We’re not supposed to use our names until the reveal.”

Yes. That was the biggest problem here.

Bianca’s cheeks heated under her mask. Could this day get any worse? First the layover. Then Nathan had tried to call her. The media had posted again how she’d been a liar at his trial. Plus, being late to meet Carter for their orchestrated kiss and photo. And now...

Lord, when are things ever going to be easier?

Eddie touched her elbow. “Do you need help finding this guy?”

What she really needed was about seven more hours of sleep and for God to answer a few more of her prayers. “I?—”

The room erupted into applause. Bianca faced the stage, where the man she assumed was the mayor of Last Chance County stood. A mustache framed his wide smile as he waved in his black pants and charcoal suit jacket, complete with a red bow tie.

He was handed a microphone. “Thank you, everyone, for coming. I appreciate your support for my reelection and the youth of our great city in this masquerade auction.”

He pointed to his face. “As you’ve noticed, I’m not wearing a costume mask. But you are, and boy will the social feeds go crazy when we go live and announce all of my wonderful guests. I bet I’ll even be surprising some of my dear friends here tonight. With Last Chance County hosting a movie crew, you never know who might be in the chair beside you.”

The mayor took a red piece of paper from the grouchy door lady, who now stood beside him. He held up the paper. “You will find one of these tucked inside your napkin. If you can guess everyone who is sitting at your table tonight, there will be a special prize for you after the close of the auction.” His grin grew. “Trust me, you want to win it. For now, let’s open the night up with some dancing. Take the nearest hand and come join me on the dance floor to celebrate a night of priceless art.”

The band on the stage took the cue, and the drummer joined in with the rest of the piano and jazz sounds. The mayor kept his steps to the beat as he exited the stage, heading to the center of the dance floor.

Bianca stood with the crowd. Eighty percent of the men wore black suits, while the others wore gray. Stupid masks.

She checked her phone. Still no reply from Carter. In its place was a picture text from her sister, Madeline. She was surrounded by their mom and grandma and her bridal party while Madeline held a sign that read: Found my dress at Crystal’s Bridal.

Bianca gripped her phone. She kept missing so much. Things had to be resolved with her family before her sister’s wedding.

Her mother’s voice popped into her head. Honey, if you came to your sister’s wedding... people would look at you, not Madeline. You wouldn’t want to steal her day, would you?

No, she didn’t want to steal the spotlight. But feeling a part of the family again would be a nice change.

Eddie cleared his throat. He squinted at her under his mask that barely covered the space around his eyes. The chandelier hanging above their table highlighted the sparkle in his gaze. He had a clean-shaven jawline and wide shoulders. He could star in a movie. Maybe he was one of the extras? Or one of the financial backers for a luxurious resort rumored to be coming to the town.

He slipped his hands into his pants pockets. “Might I suggest a deal? I help you find this Carter guy while you help me dance close enough to the mayor to ask him a question.”

Bianca straightened her back. “What kind of question?”

She wouldn’t lead an undercover tabloid reporter to swoop in on anyone. No, she was here for a restart. Not to repeat the past.

Eddie tilted his head toward the swarmed dance floor. “I need to make sure he’s still going to sign off on an important grant for some inner-city youth.”

“Oh.” Not connected to the media, the movie, or even the resort. She glanced at her phone. Still no reply from Carter.

Eddie held out his palm. “What do you say? Teammates for the night?”

Carter lived for the spotlight and would not miss an opportunity to be among those dancing.

Bianca slipped her hand into Eddie’s. “One song.”

His grip sent a warmth through her. “I’ll take what I can get.”

She could offer him nothing more than teammates, each needing something from the other. A simple exchange.

So why did her heart flutter as if this was a start to something more? Love had left her misguided and at rock bottom. She could not let it happen again. This time, she would seek the qualities God wanted for her future relationship.

Eddie stepped forward. “I’m assuming we’re looking for a man in a mask.”

She laughed as she followed his lead to the dance floor. Finally, someone with a sense of humor. “However did you guess that?”

Her teammate for the song pulled up beside a woman in a purple dress and a white sequined mask and her dancing partner. The man’s lack of enthusiasm did not remain hidden behind his pointy-beaked mask.

Eddie clasped Bianca’s hand in his and held it out in a waltz form. He rested his other hand on the middle of her back. His attention scanned the crowd, but his whisper tickled her neck. “And I suppose this Carter also looks sharp in a suit? Since you assumed I was him and all. A fellow strapping lad in his prime.”

Bianca rolled her eyes. “He’s also as humble as you as well.”

Eddie’s chuckle harmonized with the melody of the keyboard. “I feel like you have the advantage since I already gave you my name.”

Bianca took in the movements of those dancing around her. No one seemed as practiced as Carter would be with his ballroom training. No one except the man she’d mistaken for her costar. “My friends call me Bianca.”

Not that she had many of those lately. Except Frances, the waitress who had not only listened to Bianca’s woes caused by the situation with her ex but shared the true Hope with her. However, Frances was currently thousands of miles away in California and thirty-plus years Bianca’s senior.

“Well, Ms. Bianca, it’s good to know that we’ve gone from teammates to friends.”

Bianca lifted on her toes to gain a better view over the sea of feathers before her. “We can be best friends if you spot Carter.”

He spun her in a counterclockwise rotation. “Is that him? Beyond the woman with the red glitter mask?”

Bianca squinted. “I don’t see . . .”

A camera light flashed to the side of her, and the mayor walked in front of the man in question.

Bianca tilted her chin. “I spot the mayor, though. He’s heading across the dance floor toward my right.”

Eddie whipped his head around. “You up for some more spin moves?”

She tightened her hold on his hand. It was a better plan than tramping through all the dancing pairs. He sent her twirling across the dance floor to the thump of the drum. On her fourth spin, nearing the edge of the dance floor, he caught her against his chest and glanced around. “I’ve lost him.”

Just over Eddie’s shoulder, a security guard held a door open for the mayor.

She pointed her finger. “There.”

The mayor disappeared behind the door just as Eddie turned. A man with a dimpled chin, dressed in a black suit and corresponding mask, jogged over in front of the same security guard that had opened the door for the mayor. Both the guard and the man glanced at the nearest security guard stationed at another door. Then the suited man pulled out what looked like a roll of bills from his pants pocket and held it out to the guard.

Bianca gasped. Not this again.

Nathan had taken a handoff the day before the police had stormed their home.

The guard tucked the bills into his palm and opened the door enough for the man and himself to slip through with no one else the wiser.

Bianca squeezed her fingers around Eddie’s. “Did you see...”

Another bribe. No one had believed her last time.