Page 8 of Wish You Faith

“Rosie, it’s me.” He lifted his mask to his forehead.

It was Evan Cavanaugh, the temporary seasonal worker. That one.

“Oh, Sir Evan.” She smiled. “I thought you were a stranger.”

She didn’t ask him how he was dressed like this and how he had an invitation to the ball. To ask would be to pry, and at this time, she didn’t want to know him more at all. She just wanted to get out of here and go home.

However, the resort director wanted her to stay back because of an award. Sigh.Send it by UPS to the corporate office already.

Cyrus and Amy couldn’t attend this year’s ball because Amy was eight months pregnant and didn’t feel well tonight. Amy texted Rosie and asked her to accept the award on behalf of Christmastown.

So she had to come.

“What are you doing here without your mask?” Evan asked.

“I forgot it. I can’t remember where I left it. I was in such a hurry to get here.” She tried to remain calm, but she felt flustered. The crowd was growing, and she wanted to go home. “Maybe I left it in the car. I wanted to go get it, but it started to rain. I didn’t want to ruin my gown, which can only be dry-cleaned.”

Whew. That was a mouthful. Did she have to tell him every detail of her sorry night? It hadn’t even started.

“I’ll walk you to your car,” Evan said. “But you know they provide spare masks in the ballroom?”

Rosie’s jaw dropped. “They do? How do you know all that?”

He didn’t directly answer her. “Let’s find one that fits, and you don’t have to get rained on. If it’s still raining after the ball, I’ll walk you to your car.”

“Thank you.” Again.

Evan folded his umbrella and walked with Rosie to the coat check. He took Rosie’s coat from her, and handed it to the attendant, along with his own coat and the umbrella.

“I can get my own number,” Rosie said.

“This way, we can leave together and I can walk you to your car.”

“It might not be raining then.”

“Still, it’s at night. I’ll feel better if you get to your car safely.”

Rosie nodded. She didn’t know what to say. She had just met this man on Friday, and now she was attending a ball with him?—

Wait. Rewind that.

She was not with him per se. They had both received invitations, and they had both arrived here. Still, she was curious.

“How did you know about the ball?” Rosie asked.

“I guess I’ll tell you, but please don’t tell anyone, especially Bellina.”

“Ah, now we’re keeping secrets. Then don’t tell me. I don’t know you enough to share secrets with you.”

Evan stared at her again. “Well, Cyrus is a friend. He can’t make it tonight, so he gave me his invitation.”

Rosie nodded. “Nice of Cyrus to do that. Looks like you came alone.”

“I’m unattached,” he said quietly.

It seemed that he wanted her to know that he was single. He had made his declaration. Now they could hang out without guilt.

“How did you get your invitation?” Evan asked.

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