Page 6 of The Princess and the Pizza Man

Will’s gaze swung around the crowded room, anxiety burrowing into his chest and setting up camp. He was used to crowds, but he wasn’t used tothistype of crowd. Pheromones were flying around the room like they were coming out of the vents. Nothing but people flirting and touching and glancing and winking. Seriously,the winking… One man in particular seemed to be using it as the only ace up his sleeve. “Oh, you’re an artist?”wink.“I’ve seen that film four times, now.”wink.“Do you know where the bathrooms are?”wink.Who in the world actually winked that much?

Will tapped the edge of his glass with his knuckle, wondering if he shoulda put a ring on his finger just so he wouldn’t be targeted. He had his eye on someone back home, after all, and really… how would it work out in the end? These people seemed to be lookin’ for soulmates, not flings. But they lived all over the place. It was like online relationships in reverse—meet first, email second. How did Frostville Mansion get such a good reputation for setting people up?

He refused to believe it was actually haunted. There had to be something in the water.

He eyed his drink before stealthily pouring it into a potted plant.

“What do you think?” Bells asked him, knocking his elbow with hers. Will followed her gaze to a man across the room surrounded by four other women, laughing heartily at what one of them just said.

“About what?” he said, playing dumb. Bells gave him a look he deserved.

“Do I have a shot, Will? Or should I settle for… I dunno…” She glanced around for a moment before her eyes landed on someone young enough to need I.D. “That guy.”

“You don’t have to settle for anyone.”

“Will…”

“Serious, Bells. If you’re really here to do this, go all in.”

“So, you’re tellin’ me in your very brotherly way that I could have any man I want.”

He tapped his nose a couple times, and Bells squealed and handed him her glass.

“Okay.” She fixed her curls. “Save me if you see the signal.”

“What signal—” But she was across the room already.

Will slumped against the wall, eyes drifting to the clock. His stomach was an empty, gargling mess, and he ran a hand over it, hoping to soothe the rumbling. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could wait before finding the kitchen himself and raiding the refrigerator.

Another group of people came through the door to the lounge area. Geez, more? No wonder Winter had said they didn’t have a lot of rooms left.

His eyes caught a glimpse of platinum blonde hair behind a massive wall of a man who’d just walked in. Will straightened, suddenly aware of how glum he probably looked. No wonder no one was approaching him; he hadn’t needed a ring for deterrent, just his sullen attitude. He tried to put on a smile as Winter appeared from hiding, her shortness endearing. He nodded to her, feeling a bit like a fool that he didn’t have much game here. Not that he was trying to flirt, just trying to show some human decency, but the mansion, the city lights out every window, the décor, and company just made him feel like a turtle without its shell.

Winter waved wildly back, something that made him laugh and feel lighter in the heaviness of the room. She was done up completely—makeup, hair, long, flowing gown. She looked like a darn princess, out of this reality and in one entirely her own.

He thought she’d come over for some conversation, but she veered right, taking the hand of the burly, massive man next to her. He helped her up on a sort of platform and handed her a glass.

Clink, clink, clink. All eyes swiveled to Winter, Will’s already trained on her. Guess she was the owner of the place. Or at least high up. Not only did she have the muscle next to her, the security man from earlier was perched at her other side, looking important and scary.

“Welcome to Frostville Mansion!” she said excitedly to some applause. “I hope you’ve all gotten somewhat acquainted.”

The winker winked, and a few giggles went through the room. Will tried with all his might not to let sarcasm fly from his mouth.

“If you’ll please follow me into the next room, we can have some dinner.”

Will “whooped!” unable to control himself. A few guests laughed, and Winter fist pumped the air and pointed at him in solidarity. It sent a round of warm acceptance through his empty gut.

“Your names are in front of your seats. I know it’s out of comfort zones to sit by strangers, but here at Frostville, we like to mix things up and force you to get to know each other.”

She winked, and on her, it was cute. Probably because she added a sound effect and pointed her finger. She had good stage presence.

They all shuffled through to the dining hall, another room that was bigger than anywhere Will had ever owned. Bells was first—of course—following Winter right on her heels. She was placed between two men: the tall black man who’d entered with Winter in the other room and the man who’d attracted all the women. Will caught the grin on her face when the popular winker took a spot next to her, smiling a smile that told Will he was gonna watch that interaction. He was there to make sure she wasn’t going for any old yahoo, after all.

Will found his name between two women, and he wondered if the boy/girl pattern was on purpose.Back to elementary school,he mused.

As soon as they all were seated, a parade of kitchen staff came in with the first course. Will rubbed his hands together, anxious for something,anything, in his belly.

“I’ve never seen someone so excited for a salad,” said the woman on his right. She was older, with laugh lines around her eyes and a clip in her red hair.

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