Page 55 of Peach Blossom Hollow

“Christine!” Violet said, her voice lifting. “Gorgeous dress.”

“Thank you.” The blonde moved closer, her black gown a clingy affair that was like a shout-out to good genetics, healthy eating and a personal trainer.

“Yes, very lovely,” Leo said absently. Christine Lagreé’s gaze raked over him, and he turned back to Violet, muttering, “I’m not taking you.”

“Of course you are,” she muttered under her breath, smile still in place. She sent a pointed look in Christine’s direction.

Right. He turned back to her. “Can I get you a drink?”

She waved the full champagne glass in her hand.

Perfect.

He turned back to Violet, still working over the did-she-actually-chat-with-his-sister question. “What would you and Sara-Lynn even talk about?”

“Do you scuba dive?” Violet asked Christine,pushing him aside so he wasn’t standing between the two of them.

“No way,” she replied, her brow wrinkling. “Scuba’s way too scary.” She shuddered.

“It’s not as bad as you might imagine,” Violet said. “Leo’s bidding on a package for two. I thought if he won—”

“I already told Violet I’m taking my sister,” he insisted.

“You don’t take your sister on a romantic getaway!”

“And you don’t take your best friend, either.”

Violet gave an indignant huff, although he saw the way she lit up at being called his best friend. Leo shot her a sassy, you-can’t-tell-me-what-to-do look and changed his bid to $2000.

“What are you doing?” She yanked the pen from his grip, but he snatched it back, along with the clipboard.

“You’re interfering with fund-raising.” He looked around for one of the volunteers, who were dressed as Santa’s elves. “This woman is preventing me from bidding!”

“You’re so immature!” Violet jabbed him with a finger.“Andbad with money.” She gestured to the form, where he’d outbid himself.

“It’s forcharity,” he said, leaning in close, and breathing in her scent again.

They stared at each other for a long beat, her nearly-black eyes appearing almost a milk-chocolate brown as indignation flashed, then faded.

I’d take you with me.

He blinked at the unexpected thought and spun away as if he’d been shocked by Violet. He droppedthe pen and clipboard and inhaled with a shudder. To find Christine staring at him, her brows lifted in amusement.

Right.

Goals.

He cleared his throat, wishing he could clear the cloud of confusion that had swarmed through his brain. He stepped toward Christine and asked, “Would you like to dance?”

Christine had said no. Politely. Firmly. Then, with a small apologetic smile directed at Violet, she had glided away.

Was it obvious that Violet had developed feelings for the man she was supposed to be helping?

She’d really messed up his chances now.

“That didn’t go very well.” She stared after Christine. “I shouldn’t have come.”

“Of course you should. She knows we’re just friends.”

---