14. A Night to Remember

* * *

I fingered my brunette locks,pinned in place in as fancy an updo as I could attempt. In the mirror, I was someone else. Not Eve in her casual, messy buns and cutoffs. But not really the old me either, Tess Arnault, daughter of a well-known billionaire tech mogul, in all her fancy clothes and pretentiousness.

Who was I? I nervously fiddled with the bird in flight necklace, as if it would put me back on solid ground.

Stuck somewhere in between Eve and Tess, tonight I was simply Wyoming's date, dressed as a gorgeous pirate wench in a red satin gown, excitedly heading off to a ball to have the most fun I'd had in a year. Thank God for the mask and the costume, helping me prepare for tonight's performance.

"Gather around everyone, while whoever I am dazzles and defies all for a one-night performance," I mocked the voice of a theater announcer, because that's what it felt like my life had reduced to. An act in three parts.

I grabbed the powder brush for one last time to reduce the shine on my nose and forehead; the heat or stress or this heavy gown turned up the temperature in my cabin a million degrees.

Molly and Angelica had invited me to get ready with them and their hairstylist/makeup artist at the Steele Valley Resort. But I couldn't see spending more time becoming friends—not when I planned tomorrow to tell Wyoming everything.

Or to not tell him, and just leave Steele Valley in the middle of the night, like a coward?

Or to just break up with him, making some excuse why Eve didn't like him, and breaking his heart. Like a bitch.

"God, you're awful," I spat at myself, hating the woman in the mirror. I still hadn't decided how to end this charade.

Why did I keep doing this, getting in deeper and deeper with Wyoming? My mind reeled, round and round as if a lost ship in a storm at sea. I had no one else to blame. I'd warned myself not to get involved with him.

But the pull of the lake…

A sexy man...

One hot summer...

It was all too much for my lonely, troubled heart to bear.

Now I must face the consequences. There's no way Wyoming, once he learned my true identity, would trust me anymore. I could imagine the look of disgust on his face, learning I'd been lying to him this whole time.

His lie, not telling me at first he had money and was somewhat famous thanks to his brother—paled compared to all my lies. I hardly cared about that. I had friends who would only date men of a certain age with money and means—I used to be one of them—so I understood his reasons behind not divulging his wealth.

My deception this whole time as Eve had reasons behind it, too. Sinister ones, that had far-reaching implications. I didn't know how Wyoming would react to my truth.

Relationships based on a lie had a high statistical probability of not working out—and I didn't need my advanced education in computer science to do that math.

We're two intelligent people and, like me, I could imagine him upset, and practical, wondering why I'd trifled with his heart in the first place, given all I had going on.

Besides, the relationship we'd started building really didn't matter. The most important thing here wasn't my heart or his. It was convincing Joe and Wyoming not to do business with my dad. They were too good of people to get caught up with a monster like Heath.

I teared again and dabbed my eyes, just as a knock came at my door.

"Arr, ye ready for the ball, lass?" Wyoming called out. My swashbuckling pirate arrived in his chariot, or rather Jeep, to steal me away to one last night of fantasy, playing my performance as Eve for him.

I took a final look at myself, and my heart jumped into my throat. Shit. I forgot to put my colored contacts in. With quick work, I got them in place without ruining the little bit of eye makeup I had put on.

Whew. That could have been a mild disaster. Then again, what better way to start the difficult conversation with Wyoming than to explain the sudden eye color change? And with a stupid little snort at the absurdity my life had become, I headed toward the door.

As soon as I opened it, I fixated on his form. His ruffled white shirttucked in with half the buttons undone, exposed his tanned and toned chest, beckoning me to run my fingers over it. My heart raced as I took in every inch of him, feeling a familiar heat building within me.

"You... You make one irresistible pirate," I stammered out, unable to tear my gaze away. But my stomach twisted at the thought of another woman laying claim to him. A fierce possessiveness consumed me, and I couldn't help but imagine him holding another woman close, whispering sweet nothings into her ear.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to push away the thoughts that threatened to ruin this night. This ball would be our last time together, and I didn't want it tainted with jealousy.

But then he spoke, melting away my worries. "Eve, that gown is like you were made for it. You are stunning." His words left me blushing under his intense gaze. He leaned in for a kiss, and I eagerly pressed my lips against his, losing myself in the moment between us.

"You know what will always be my favorite thing to see you wear, though? That black string bikini or nothing at all," he whispered huskily into my ear, causing shivers to course through my body.

Nothing else mattered right now except for the intense chemistry between us, and enjoying this ball. But deep down, I knew that this perfect night would bring an end to the romantic fantasy dream world I'd been living in with Wyoming.

* * *

"Look at this place.Molly and Angelica outdid themselves." Wyoming whistled low, taking it all in after we VIP valet parked at the venue by the lake. My mask secured in place around my head, I walked in on his arm taller, as if the anonymity meant I could shed any inhibitions of Eve and Tess. Just a beautiful couple we were, with heads turning as we walked in.

To my surprise, though, many couples were in costume, from an elaborate Bridgerton duo, to celebrity look-alikes dressed as if going to the Oscars—or perhaps they were the real actors and actresses, one never could tell here. Leave it to people with money and means to go all out for a masquerade ball under the trees and a perfect starry night.

Although with all the twinkling lights hanging, it was hard to see the stars. "It's breathtaking. There must be at least a million lights above," I observed, as we toured around.

"Two million, in fact." Joe's familiar voice came up behind us. I swiveled on my heels with Wyoming, facing him and Molly. They looked every bit the part of Aladdin's characters, and I was certain Chloe must have been elated to see her parents like this. "Angelica and Molly love going all out on these events for good causes."

"We do. With this theme, well, we ran with it, and maybe slightly broke our budget." Molly laughed it off. "But donations have already started pouring in and I think we'll have a stellar outcome. You must be sure to find Junior and Angelica. They're floating around here somewhere, and their costumes are to die for. Oh, look at how beautiful this red gown is on you. I'm so glad I had it for you to wear."

She hugged me tight, too close for comfort, as if she expected me to be the next member of their family. "Thank you so much," was all I could squeak out.

A server in a tuxedo strolled by with a platter of glasses of champagne. Wyoming stopped him and distributed them, putting a glass in my hand. Just beyond where we stood, a round clothed table featured a pyramid of champagne flutes. Something told me the liquid gold would be pouring all night; how many cases was anyone's guess.

Even by my old standards in New York City, this elaborate affair was too much. If only I could get Wyoming alone and have our own party under the stars.

"How about a toast?" Joe asked and raised his glass, his eyes twinkling as much as the lights above. "To love in the lake."

We all clinked glasses and drank, and the orchestra on stage switched songs to something slow. "Perfect song for starters. Come with me," Wyoming said, guzzling his drink and taking mine and setting them on another server's tray like a debonair hero.

He took me up in a tight hold against his body, swaying me to the music, something classic from old time movies. He leaned in, sucking on my earlobe. "No matter how many lights are above, you shine tonight, Eve."

I teared up, clinging to him, and he didn't notice, keeping our faces ear to ear, floating me around the dance floor on a cloud.

We danced and drank, the lights swirling around us in a dizzying blur. Then came the food, trays of it carried out by multiple servers among all the guests. The canapes I devoured, the shrimp disappeared in one swift bite, and the tiny cakes melted on my tongue. And then came more champagne, bubbling and effervescent.

Wyoming became bolder as the night drifted on, his movements more daring. He pulled me into a tango that was every bit as sultry and tantalizing as he had promised. Our bodies moved together in perfect harmony, his touch keeping the fire between us roaring.

Lost under the twinkling stars and lost in this enchanting evening with him, time ceased to exist. The pirate had stolen my heart completely, leaving me helpless and entranced by his every move. This night would be one I would never forget, etched into my memory forever.

As it got later, I needed a break. My gown was indeed heavy and hot, added to the decadence of the food and drink, and all the exercise from dancing. It became stifling behind my mask and I was a sweaty mess. What little makeup I wore was probably long gone by now. I finally convinced Wyoming to let me go so I could visit the ladies' lounge.

Once inside in a stall, I removed the mask, leaned against the wall, and took deep breaths.

Whatever misgivings I had about leading Wyoming on and attending this soiree were now forgotten. How wonderful it'd been to be his for a night at an affair to remember. Tonight was ours; I'd leave tomorrow for tomorrow's worries.

Several minutes went by and I exited the stall as soon as it seemed I was alone, the mask hanging from my elbow. With a wet towelette, I dabbed my face, removing as much of the mascara residue from under my eyes as possible. With another, I cleaned and dried the inside of the mask and was about to put it back on when a woman entered gracefully into the room.

I didn't think much of it, at first, preparing to pull the mask on my face, until she came closer.

"Contessa? Is that you?" She asked.

My head snapped up, regarding her in the mirror, instantly recognizing one of my old college roommates, Capri Vitale, but tried not to let my panic show.

Lovely, fiercely independent, I knew her well, as she did me. We spent our sophomore year lamenting about men and families; hers being connected to the mafia, she always claimed.

She looked not a day older than when we graduated, and I hadn't seen her in some time. What worried me most was how we knew each other's families, too, even accompanied each other home for some breaks. When she started her special events business, Heath had even hired her for her first job to give her a start.

I had to get out of this, even raising the tone of my voice, adding a southern accent. "Why no darling, you must have me confused." I ended in a haughty laugh and pulled the mask back over my face.

"Oh, sorry. You're right. My friend has brown eyes. But it's in the facial structure. You two could be twins." She laughed it off. "I hope you're enjoying the evening? I'm Capri?—"

"Sorry, dear, I mustn't keep the husband waiting." I dashed out of there and hurried to find Wyoming again, allowing the panic to swarm me, taking shallow breaths.