Chapter 25
Carly had been looking forward to this weekend for months.
Mark Craven had long ago reserved the famous classic rock and roll-themed mansion for the New Years Banquet.
And while he probably didn’t do it with her family in mind, he’d invited them to come along all the same. Insisted was more like it.
She had to admit, being seated at the same table as her family and his—it was a gift. Even Gage’s brother Beau had come. Carly had met him on a few occasions, but she was glad they had this time to get to know each other better. All of them.
So far, nights at the mansion had consisted of fantastic food and a whole lot of fun. Old board games, card games, and trivia too. A few of Gage’s cousins and his aunt had joined them as well.
Carly had heard about the tragic loss of Mark Craven’s twin brother, but this was the first time she’d met the man’s surviving family.
Gage’s aunt Sylvia had twin boys of her own, as well as two other children—another boy and one lone girl.
Of course, they weren’t kids anymore. Each in their early to mid-twenties, the siblings looked more like a group of high-paid models mingling before a fashion shoot.
Beau, who’d opted to sit with them over “the couples” table, fit right in.
Just spending time with so many attractive singles had awakened the matchmaker in Carly. Surely she had to know a few single ladies to set them up with. Or a wonderful guy for Elizabeth, the lone girl in the bunch. Not that they’d need any help in that area.
“Can you believe this was built in the late nineteen twenties?” Gage asked as he eyed the spacious ballroom.
Carly glanced up to notice some of the details herself. Crystal chandeliers, gold-leafed pillars, and decorative arches over the entry and stage where the live band played. “It’s incredible,” she said.
Her sister, Jill, seated at the other side of her, clamped a hand around Carly’s arm. “I can’t believe I’ve never come out here before now.”
“We couldn’t have afforded it,” Jill’s husband, Shawn, mumbled.
Mom sat beside them, right next to Joan Craven.
The women had been hitting it off. In fact, just last night, Mom pulled out her jewelry kit and taught Joan how to fashion a beautiful necklace of her own.
Joan enjoyed it so much she asked about selling a few at Mom’s shop, suggesting they team up to raise money for the NBDPN, the way Gage had on Star Chat.
To think the woman had a heart for the cause after learning of Carly’s story—the idea warmed her heart more than she could say.
“One of my favorite things about The Royal Palm is the history,” Gage’s dad said. “Did you know this thing was built in the late nineteen twenties?” He sounded just like Gage; maybe his love for architecture was wearing off on Mark.
Carly caught Gage’s eye before answering his father. “That’s incredible.” She couldn’t help but smile as the two broke into conversation, Mark asking questions about the structure, Gage using his hands while talking about the placement of each pillar. The word “joy” came to mind.
Not long ago, Gage had made a tough choice and risked losing his father’s hard-earned approval by declaring his love for Carly. Thank heavens it hadn’t cost him after all. In fact, according to Gage, their relationship was stronger than ever.
Tiffany, dressed in a black and white uniform, came up alongside Carly and rested a basket of bread on the table.
Carly glanced up and gave her a smile. “Thanks, Tiff.”
Tiffany held her gaze for a blink and lowered her head. “Tell me at least some of those guys over there are single,” she mumbled.
“Actually,” Carly said. “They’re all single. Think one of the twins has a girlfriend though.”
Tiffany tucked a strand of her chestnut hair behind one ear and grinned. “Good to know. Your salads will be out shortly.” She moved over to the table with Gage’s brother and cousins, resting a basket of fresh bread on their table as well.
Suddenly one of the twins motioned her over. Liam, Carly realized. He was the one who wore his hair long enough to fit into a man bun.
Carly leaned a bit to watch Tiffany walk around to stand at his side. At once Liam stood to his feet and motioned to his chair. Tiffany shook her head, but Liam persisted by waving a hand toward the open seat once more.
Face reddening, Tiffany lowered herself stiffly into the chair. The family at the table cheered. Liam darted over to a collapsible serving tray and pointed to the remaining baskets with a raised brow. What a flirt.
At once he was lifting the baskets off the tray one by one and placing them onto the remaining tables with a wide grin. Tiffany looked shocked. One hand covered her heart, the other covering what looked like a permanent gasp.
“Psst, I need your help.” Carly had been so distracted by the encounter that she hadn’t noticed Christian come up along side her. He was squatting low between her chair and Gage’s.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“You know I’m part of the entertainment tonight, right?”
She nodded. “Right.”
“Well, we’re supposed to start in like, three minutes, and Ashley isn’t here yet.”
“Ashley?” Carly hadn’t meant to become Christian’s echo; she just couldn’t figure out what this had to do with her.
“We’re doing a starter show to warm up the crowd. Ashley’s fifteen minutes away, meaning she’ll be here in time for the big show. But for the intro…I need you to take her place for me.”
Carly stared at him for a blink, then glanced up to see Gage still wrapped up in a conversation with his dad.
Christian clasped his hands together. “Please?”
Carly gasped. Horrible things were happening in her chest. Sharp knots of anxiety darting about at the mere thought. “No. I can’t.”
“Yes, you can,” Christian assured. “In the intro, Ashley’s playing the part of someone who doesn’t know how to dance yet. I run into her, spin her around, and lead her in a few simple dance steps. All you have to do is bumble through them like someone who doesn’t already know the moves.”
Well, Carly would have that much down. She didn’t know any dance moves.
“Then we march off together, and that’s where you’re done. Ashley and I will come back later and blow everyone’s socks off.”
“You’d be perfect at that, Babe,” Gage said. Carly looked over at him. She hadn’t even realized he’d tuned in.
“Tiffany,” Carly blurted. “She can do it.”
Christian shook his head. “Tiffany’s over there getting wined and dined by the coven at table five.”
She lifted a brow. “Coven?”
He shrugged. “They’re like some bizarrely attractive family of vampires. Besides, Tiff’s not dressed up. You are.”
“Just do it, Carly,” Jill blurted. “It’ll be fun.”
Geeze, was everyone listening in?
“Please, please,” Christian pled once more. “We’re down to two minutes now.”
Carly’s shoulders dropped in surrender. “You better show me what I’m supposed to do up there.”
Christian grabbed her by the hand and grinned. “I will.”
Gage stood and snatched her other hand. “You’ll be great,” he assured, and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
And then she was off, getting whisked away by Christian.
He whirled her past the silver food carts, between the bustling staff members and seated tables, and into the foyer.
There, he gave her a sixty-second rundown of what to do, which was basically what he’d already said.
Let him bump into her, he’d spin her around, show her a few steps while she move along with him the best she could, then he’d escort her off the dance floor.
“Easy peasy,” Christian said.
“Yeah, except it’s in front of a few hundred people.”
Christian grinned. “Imagine doing it on live TV.”
The nerves that shot through her at the idea made her current mission seem like a piece of cake. “Think I’ll stick with this, thank you.”
Christian held her gaze for a moment. “Thank you. And can I just say that…that I’m very happy for you and Gage. You really do make a nice couple. I mean, he’s still not the better man between the two of us or anything,” he added with a shrug.
The soft music floating from the ballroom came to a sudden halt.
Christian held up a finger. “That’s our cue.”
Carly’s head felt light as she looped her hand through his arm.
He walked her to the entrance and stopped at the doorway, the illuminated dance floor in the center of the room in sight.
She couldn’t see their table from there, but she knew it was just a few yards off of the dance area.
“See how the dance floor is sectioned off by those glowing squares?” he asked under his breath.
She nodded, but the sharp knots were bouncing like crazy inside her now. She tried to calm them with a slow exhale. “Uh huh.”
“You’re going to slow down on the fifth square. I’ll bump into you there, but don’t worry, I’ll hold onto you so you won’t trip.”
A jazzy tune picked up. Trumpets started out a playful melody. “On the count of five, you’re going to start walking straight for the dance floor. Just walking. Five. Four.”
She nodded, smoothed a hand over her gown. Can’t believe I’m about to do this.
“Three. Two. Go.”
And suddenly she was walking. Straight toward the glowing floor, her heels matching the catchy beat.
She counted out the squares, slowed as she hit the fifth square, when Christian rushed in like a storm.
Somehow he’d snuck around the back of the room, because he came at her from the other side, cradling her arms as he shuffled around her.
Boy did he know how to put on a show. His energy alone had the audience coming alive with oohs and ahhs.
He stopped, squared a look at her, and then threw a hand to his heart dramatically. The crowd broke into laughter. Suddenly he took her hand, made a spinning motion with his arm, then lifted a brow.