Chapter 26

“Yes, well, the owners and editors of every paper in town are invited. The New Year’s Eve Ball is this town’s best-kept secret.”

I came out of the bathroom to find him already dressed and standing before the mirror, fussing with his tie. It was watered silk, the same midnight blue as his tux. “Goddamned son of a bitch…”

I grinned at him. “Here, let me get that for you.” I finished tying the Pratt-Shelby knot, made sure the dimple was locked in, and smoothed my palms over his pleated shirt front. “Now, where’s your tie tack?” He handed it to me, an opal shot through with streaks of blue, purple, and green. His Uncle Pete, the Marine, had found it when he’d been passing through Australia and had sent it to Wills when he’d graduated from college. “There. Pretty enough to be kissed.” And I pinched his chin, leaned in, and brushed my lips over his.

“Theo…” His eyes were closed and there was that smile on his lips.