Holt Capuleti has never been one to show emotion, but under his flippant attitude about almost everything in his life, there’s a heart that’s guarded behind a shield of iron. He’s kind when he needs to be and never takes life too seriously. Unless it’s his business ventures, including Scribe Magazine.

I’ve heard the mutterings and hushed whispers of his name and magazine ever since leaving him standing in the hallway, but I haven’t been able to pay too much attention to them because everything about him still surrounds me. The familiar scent of his aftershave has been following me like a shadow since leaving him standing there in the hallway. I can still feel his body hovering over mine as his deep blue eyes peered straight in to my soul. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more exposed than in that moment. It was as if Holt had cut my chest open without even trying.

I’m touching my grandmother’s necklace, hoping it will bring me resolve to the heat stirring in my body, but it’s of no use. Nonetheless, I welcome the distraction because Adam is here… somewhere. I saw him earlier near the men’s restroom, after Holt saved me from becoming an unwelcomed decoration to the marble-lined floors of the Omni Plaza Hotel.

Tonight’s auction sponsorship banners hang from either side of the ballroom, displaying those who are bidding in tonight’s largest fundraising charity in years. Or so Julianna claims. For someone whose claim to notoriety has been her interior design business alone, Julianna seems to have a knack for pulling out all the stops with her event organizing, too. The Omni Plaza hotel is already one of New York City’s luxury hotels and event centers, but she’s managed to amp it up to another level. With it decked out in glitz and glam, the mystery of tonight has caught the attention of celebrities and high-level politicians throughout the city.

“I ran this idea by Julianna earlier but wanted to see what you both think,” Charleigh says, glancing between London and me. Asher, her fiancé, is standing beside her with his hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her as close as possible to him. Charleigh is wearing a form-fitting pink ball gown decorated in tiny, black sequined flowers scattered like polka dots. Her hair is twisted into a side braid, revealing her gorgeous face.

“What’s that?” London asks, lifting her glass of champagne to her plum-painted lips. Her equally dark purple gown blends into the shadows. London’s fiancé, and my future brother-in-law, West, is staring at her with hearts bubbling in his eyes. He’s so enamored with her, even when she isn’t paying him any attention. He’s the perfect complement to her in his black suit, complete with dark navy-blue lapels.

“Now that Asher and I have set an official date for the wedding in the spring, we’ve started planning all the other events leading up to it, including the bachelorette party.” Charleigh beams, practically bouncing on her heels.

“You want a bachelorette party?” I furrow my brow. “I didn’t think you were into that.”

“I’m not, and I wasn’t really thinking of this as a bachelorette party as more of a girls’ pre-wedding retreat.”

“Oh.” London perks up. “A retreat? I like the sound of that. Where to?”

Charleigh swallows a mouthful of her cocktail. “At first, I was thinking somewhere close to home, but I only plan on getting married once, so I’m thinking we go a bit bigger, which brought me to think of a place known for their flowers. Paris.”

“Paris?” London’s jaw drops. “I’ve never been before. I love that idea.”

“Yeah?” Charleigh’s eyebrows rise, then she’s looking at me. “What about you, Selene? What do you think?”

I grin at my best friend-slash-boss and chuckle at her seeking of our approval, when the truth is I’d go wherever she wanted me to go if it made her happy. “I would love to go to Paris.”

“Yes!” She squeals. “Oh, this is going to be so much fun.”

“Hopefully, Charleigh will fall in love with Paris so much she’ll agree to get married there.” Asher wags his eyebrows playfully.

“Is that what you’re wanting to do?” West asks. “Get married in Paris?”

Charleigh shifts her attention between West and Asher, uncertainty marring her expression. “I’m considering it.”

“Honestly, I’d get married to Charleigh anywhere.” Asher laughs. “Hell, we would have been married years ago if things had gone our way. But since this will be the only time we both plan on getting married, I’ll give Charleigh whatever wedding she wants.”

Charleigh’s mouth splits into a grin that stretches from ear to ear as she looks up at Asher. She has the same hearts in her eyes that West has for London. My stomach somersaults, wanting only the best for them. Hoping for it, in fact.

Originally high school sweethearts back in Connecticut, Charleigh and Asher haven’t always had it easy. They were forced apart after a family tragedy for years, and only recently did they happen to find each other again by chance, when Julianna and Holt connected Charleigh with a realtor that would help her find a bigger flower shop. Seeing her before Asher came back into her life compared to the way she is now has been beautiful to watch. She’s genuinely happy.

Asher kisses her deeply, and then Charleigh begins rattling off the rest of her ideas and other pre-wedding plans. My mind wanders to Holt and the situation that unfolded in the hallway. I’m still thinking about his blue eyes when I spot him across the ballroom, standing close to the door, immersed in conversation with the woman I saw him with earlier. I’ve never seen her before, but knowing Holt, it isn’t completely out of the realm of possibility that she’s here with him tonight.

Holt knows many women.

My gut clenches at the sight of him, the low lighting of the ballroom highlighting his features thanks to the shadows cutting across his face.

Everything about Holt screams money.

He’s tall and fit, clean cut, sharp jawed, with defined muscles straining under his black Armani suit.

My gaze drops to his black Armani shoes, and I bite back a chuckle, thinking back to what Adam said to me earlier.

Holt’s heavily cedar-scented skin still lingers in the air, fogging my mind. Ridiculous, considering he hasn’t even come over here yet. He’s standing nearly fifty feet away from me, but his presence is dominating. The room is quickly filling with more attendees, and the air grows increasingly stifling. I press my hand to the back of my neck and inhale a steadying breath.

While animatedly talking with the woman in front of him, Holt’s gaze flashes in my direction.

I suck in a sharp burst of air, his attention striking me like a bolt of lightning. Heat blooms inside me, radiating down to my lower stomach, then between my thighs. How is it that I’m physically reacting this way to my best friend’s brother? I shouldn’t be feeling like this.

His mouth curls, and he barely lifts his hand in the air, his long fingers relaxed as he gives me a small wave in acknowledgement.

“I’m fucked.” Julianna’s face is suddenly in front of mine, blocking the view of said brother. Her long, silky, maroon dress hugs her curves, and it has a long slit driven up the length of her leg.

“Julianna always knows how to make an entrance,” Charleigh mutters jokingly from the corner of her mouth, but Julianna doesn’t find it amusing.

Asher and West are no longer standing in our circle. They must have left while I was distracted by Holt.

“What do you mean, you’re fucked?” London asks.

Julianna presses her hand to her forehead and quickly looks at each of us. “One of the women that was supposed to be up for the auction got sick in the bathroom. Literally vomit everywhere.”

The three of us scrunch our noses in disgust.

“I hope she’s okay,” I tell Julianna. I can’t fight the urge to see if Holt is still behind her by tilting my head.

He’s gone.

“I do, too,” Julianna sympathizes. “We have EMTs here, so they’re tending to her now, but this means I’m short an auction participant.”

“Can’t you just continue the auction without her?” I ask. “I’m sure you’ll still get a considerable amount of donations.”

Julianna looks around, as though scanning the room before snapping her mouth shut. She wrings her hands in front of her. I’ve never seen her like this before: unsure, anxious, fearful, even.

“Jules…” Charleigh senses her uncertainty, pressing a reassuring hand to her arm. “What’s going on?”

She sighs. “I can’t really go into the details right now, but major news broke out about Holt and the magazine being sued for an article that was published anonymously.”

Charleigh lifts her hand to her mouth, and London’s jaw drops. The blood drains from my face, and without another thought, I’m searching for Holt again. The attendees have filled the room, and at this point it’ll be impossible to find him from where we’re standing. But now that I’m taking a moment to look around, I notice a few more hushed conversations happening around us, everyone cautiously looking at our group circle, their mouths barely moving to hide their whispers.

“His publicist told him to remain out of the spotlight tonight, which is fine, but I know if anyone gets even the slightest hint that the auction is falling apart, the media will be all over it and it’ll make this shit worse.” She chews on her bottom lip.

“What do you need us to do?” Charleigh asks.

Julianna’s face turns hopeful. “Can one of you fill in for her?”

The three of us stay silent. Too long. Excruciatingly long.

“Come on.” Julianna clasps her hands together. “Please.”

“Can’t you just fill in for her?” Charleigh asks.

Julianna worries her lip again. “I’m the organizer. Plus, I think if I were to go up there, it would only add more fuel to the fire that’s blazing about Scribe and this lawsuit. I’m too close to the gossip. I need someone else.” She swallows nervously. “Charleigh?”

Charleigh scoffs. “You know I can’t, Jules. Could you imagine someone bidding on me for a date? Asher would kill the poor innocent soul.”

Julianna turns to London and me.

London holds her hands up, laughing in disbelief. “West wouldn’t even let the man draw another breath if he tried. Remember how Club Verona turned out?”

My stomach flips. I do remember that night, even though it led to West and London confessing their true feelings for one another.

My mouth spreads into a ghost of a smile. I may not trust love, but I love that my sister does. I’m glad both she and Charleigh found love.

Julianna hasn’t found that kind of love, and for months I remember her paddling deep into the dating pool. It seemed every few weeks she was introducing us to someone new. But she’s apparently swam back to shore for now, too preoccupied with work and dampening family scandals.

“Selene?” Julianna’s voice strains as it passes her lips.

All three women are staring at me with bated breath. The air is tense, and suddenly, I’m wishing I could fade into the background like I usually do.

“What?”

“Could you?” Julianna asks, her eyes lining with tears on the verge of spilling. “Could you do it?”

I laugh, shaking my head. “I can’t.”

“Why not?” She steps forward, wrapping her hand around mine and holding onto it. “You’re single, so you won’t have anyone wanting to kill whoever bids on you. Also, not like it needs mentioning, but you’re fucking gorgeous. The men will be fighting over you.”

“Sounds barbaric.” I scrunch my nose in disgust.

“It isn’t.” Julianna jerks back, offended by my comment. Then her gaze softens. “It really isn’t as bad as you’re making it out to be. You don’t have to do anything but stand up on stage and smile.”

“But what happens when someone bids on me? Aren’t the winning donors supposed to take us out on a date afterward? Isn’t that the incentive for them to bid?”

“It is, but you don’t have to.” Julianna squeezes my hand. “The winning bidder will join you on stage, kiss you on the cheek, then there’s the option for a date afterward. No one is forced to go through with the date, though. The bidders understand the rules going into the auction. They know whoever they bid on has the choice to follow through on a date or not. They’re doing it for the publicity and to bring attention to their name, along with their donation.”

I swallow the enormous lump in my throat. Wow, I didn’t realize Julianna had put so much detail into this auction.

My gaze drifts over her shoulder. Some of the auctioneers have already started filing onto the stage, a mix of men and women of various ages. I imagine myself standing up there beside them.

My skin is sticky, and my hands grow clammy.

“I don’t know.” I shake my head and shift my attention back to Julianna. She’s standing close, her hand still wrapped around mine. “I don’t think I can do it. It’s already been such a weird day. This will multiply that by a million.”

“I know it’s ill timing considering your breakup with Adam earlier.”

“I’m not torn up about Adam. I’m glad that’s over, but it’s just been strange, you know? I don’t date or open myself up to anyone really. Love is complicated, and if this relationship with Adam has taught me anything, it’s that love is not for me. I decided that a long time ago, and somehow allowed myself to get distracted.”

I can feel London’s eyes on mine, sensing her thoughts just by her body language, her softened gaze, her bottom lip sticking out in a sympathetic pout.

I spilled all the details to my best friends earlier, describing my breakup with Adam. About him crashing my apartment and not taking the hint that we were truly over. His comments still linger in the back of my mind, and I’ve tried to ignore the prick to my chest when he said I don’t belong with my friends. It’s hard to believe him, though, when I’m surrounded by these three incredible women.

I avert my attention momentarily, looking around the crowd surrounding us. Adam is here. I knew he would be here, but I’m hoping we can make it through the night without seeing or speaking to one another. The last thing I need is Adam begging me to take him back, convincing himself we aren’t over.

“I don’t necessarily agree love isn’t for you, but this doesn’t have to be serious.” Julianna hitches her thumb over her shoulder, pulling me back to the crisis at hand.

“Don’t pressure her, Jules, if this isn’t something she feels comfortable doing,” London defends.

Julianna reluctantly shifts her attention to London but nods softly. “I’m sorry, Selene. I don’t want to pressure you or make you feel like you have to do something you don’t want to do. I truly understand. But just know that if you did, it’ll go by quickly, and you won’t have to say or do anything other than stand up there during the bidding. This really is just for charity.”

“I don’t feel like you’re pressuring me, but…” I trap my bottom lip under my teeth. “I don’t really like being put in the spotlight. I wasn’t kidding when I told you I’m an introvert. I’m all for supporting you, Jules, but I don’t think my nerves can handle it. I’m sure whoever places their bid and wins expects a date. I’d feel terrible if they donated all this money only to get a few seconds on stage with me.”

“Like I said, they know the rules, Selene. Once the bidder has won, they come up on stage and take a photo with you, then you’re free to leave.” Her voice is still tight with anxiety. “Promise.”

I stare into my best friend’s eyes, and my love for her aches. I’ve never seen her like this. My gaze bounces between my two best friends and my sister, searching for affirmation, even a semblance of input or opinion, but I don’t get it from any of them. They’re silent. Most likely because they know this is a huge deal for me. I keep my circle small, and I keep my life relatively quiet, causing the least amount of waves possible. Life is safe and more predictable that way. A lifetime of death and heartbreak will do that to you.

But I love Julianna, and I want her to be successful. She has an enormous heart and passion for helping others. I may not agree with the morality of this auction, but I have to hand it to her, she’s damn good at what she does. The last thing I want is for this night to fall apart.

Her and Holt’s reputation is on the line. I know it isn’t practical for Charleigh or London to fill this role. I’m the best and most logical option.

I quickly glance around at the packed ballroom, then the lighted stage before looking into Julianna’s vulnerable eyes.

Then, with as much conviction as I can muster, I square my shoulder, and finally say, “Fine, but a kiss on the cheek is all they’re getting. Then I’m out.”

I’ve barely drawn another breath in before Julianna’s arms are wrapped around me and she’s whispering a million thank yous into my ear.