Page 15 of Tinsel in Telluride

Enzo rolls his eyes and pushes himself up from the couch. “I don’t think that’s a thing.”

“It should be.”

He heads for the door and motions with his hand for me to join him. “How about we go watch the game and you can pretend it’s a bachelor party?”

“Nah, I think I’m going to finish up these notes for Monarch Hearts. I’ve got to convince Leigh to let me put a ring on her finger.”

“You’re going to have to do more than some paperwork if you ever want that to happen.”

“I know.” I’ve already got a ten-point plan formulating in my mind for how I’m going to apologize, win her over,andmake her pay for keeping this from me in the first place.

All in two days.

It’s called balance, right?

“Can you make sure the guys are out of the house tomorrow night around six, so I can sneak Leigh in?”

“Sometimes I hate that you’re my twin.” Enzo huffs, shaking his head as he pauses at the threshold of the room and looks over his shoulder. “I’ll do your dirty work, but for the record, I still think this is a terrible idea.”

I offer him a sardonic grin. “Noted.”

Once he’s gone, I pick up my phone and type Leigh’s name into the search bar in the hopes there is a picture of this mystery child somewhere on the Internet. Renegade Hearts is the first thing that pops up, followed by articles covering the incredible things the non-profit is doing. All things I’ve read at least a hundred times each since spring training at the Orange League Gala.

She was stunning that night. Dressed in a floor-length midnight gown that brought out the blue in her eyes. Glaring at me from across the room as I tried everything in my power to get close to her.

Each time, she managed to slip away.

But not this time.

CHAPTER FOUR

LEIGH

The cool winter air hits like a shard of ice, and I pull Zach close, bundling him against me as we exit the private jet Luca sent for us.

Most people wouldn’t be happy going from a frozen city to a frozen mountain, but I’m in love.

Inhaling the crisp, clean air, a wave of nostalgia hits me. While these mountains practically kiss the clouds and make the slopes in Michigan look like glorified hills, I can’t help but feel a little at home.

I swallow hard, remembering the last time I felt this way, and fight back the tears that come when I think about my parents. Winter was their season and Christmas their holiday. Snowmobiling. Santa. Hot chocolate by the fire. It’s been nine years, and it still isn’t any easier.

Thank God we will be out of here by the twenty-fifth, so I can smile past the tears for Zach in the privacy of my own home.

“Two days,” I whisper. “I can do this.”

“Down, Mama,” Zach orders, wiggling in my arms.

“Okay,” I reluctantly agree, setting him down on the landing outside the plane. “Take my hand and I’ll help you with the stairs.”

“I do.” He looks up at me for permission.

Those big blue eyes of his melt me. Always filled with a hint of wonder and mischief,I’m helpless to do anything but encourage this sweet boy to take on the world ahead of him.

“Okay, you can do it.”

I watch with apprehension as Zach reaches for the railing and carefully takes one step at a time, not needing my help.

God, he’s getting so big.

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