Page 85 of Twisted Shot
She’s halfway across the ballroom, cutting through clusters of mingling donors and wine-sipping sponsors, when she nearly collides with a wall of tuxedoed muscle.
She stumbles to a halt witha sharp inhale, and a pair of strong hands catch her elbows to steady her.
“You okay?” Theo says quietly, hazel eyes steady beneath his black mask.
For a second, everything in her goes still.
Seeing him again—this close—feels like surfacing from deep water into sunlight. The air between them turns thick and golden, charged with all the words they haven’t said yet. Her lips part, then press together again as her brain scrambles for something that won't sound completely unhinged.
She can’t lose him again.
"Come with me," she says breathlessly, grabbing his hand before her brain can overthink it.
He doesn't question it, just follows as she spots her target emerging from the men's room. She tugs Theo along, practically speed-walking across the ballroom.
"Carter!" she calls out as they close in.
He turns, his grin immediate. “There she is. The brains behind the winter sparkle-palooza.”
“I need you,” she says, breath short. “To emcee.”
Carter blinks, surprised. “I thought Mac was going to do it. Saw him preparing with your cute little assistant. She’s real spicy. Is she single?”
Mila arranges her clenched teeth into something she hopes will pass for a smile.
“Carter, please. I need your help. We need a player to emcee. You’re the best choice. It’s a few talking points and some introductions. You’ll do great.”
“You got it, sis,” Carter says, slinging his arm around her and pulling her forward more forcefully than she expected.
Theo looks at him stony-faced.
"Thank you," Mila breathes, untangling herself from his arms. As she pulls back, the sharp tang of alcohol hits her. Her stomach sinks as she studies his face, noting his crooked—albeit very handsome—smile.
"Carter," she says, her voice dropping to that dangerouslycalm tone reserved for crisis management, "exactly how much have you had to drink tonight?"
“Just a few,” he says, raising his hands defensively. “But don’t worry—I’ve got the metabolism of a jungle cat. I’m fine.”
Theo makes a noise behind her. Quiet. Disapproving.
Carter grins, entirely unbothered. “You’re both so serious. Relax. I can do this in my sleep. I gave my sister’s wedding toast with a jello shot in each hand.”
Mila presses her lips together, brain spinning.
She has two options.
Use Jake and let Richard twist it into something it’s not. Risk the whisper campaigns and work gossip. Let her professional integrity get dragged through the mud by a man who loves to make her look foolish.
Or use Carter.
He’s a showboat, and possibly—okay, probably—a little tipsy. But also kind, loyal, and well-liked. People laugh when he talks. Sponsors will remember him.
She glances at Theo beside her.
His expression remains perfectly stoic, but his eyes find hers—warm and unwavering beneath the black mask.
He wants this to go well for her. She can feel it in his silence.
“Okay,” she says finally, nodding once. “You’re on, Carter. Go find Naomi and tell her about the switch. She has your talking points. I’ll go find the AV guys to push everything by a few minutes to give you time to prepare.”
