With a shrug, Frankie grabbed a handful of beef jerky sticks from the shelf. “Anyway, are you going to that gala this weekend? Sounds like a big deal.”
“Gala?” I asked as I snagged a sleeve of sandwich cookies and a chocolate milk.
“Yeah, you didn’t see the very official signs posted around the lobby?”
“No?” I placed my items on the checkout counter and paid.
“You really have had your head in the clouds.” Frankie scooped up her snacks and steered me into the hall, pointing me to a calligraphy sign with a decorative light display around it. It looked like Mrs. Medford’s work.
A HALE’S PEAK WINTER WONDERLAND
Gala & benefit dinner
February 11
All are welcome (limited tickets available)
Resort employees attend for free
Silent auction, raffle, live entertainment
All proceeds go toward repairs and expansion of the Market & General Store. Any extra funds will be reinvested into the Hale’s Peak Chamber of Commerce.
“What the heck is this?” I asked.
“No clue,” Frankie said. “I saw Tess putting up the signs a few days ago, but she said she was just following orders.”
With the increased crowds in town, an exclusive gala was an excellent idea. I wish I’d thought of it myself. “Sounds fun, as long as you and Hugh will be my dates.”
“You want to go with me?” I turned to find Austin’s curly mop and languid smile greeting me.
“As—your date?” I almost choked on the last word.
“If you want,” Austin said with a sweet twinkle in his eye. “Still seeing that other guy?”
“Um, yes.” My stomach bottomed out at the thought of how Nolan would react if I waltzed into the gala with Austin on my arm. A bratty little part of me considered it would almost be worth it just to see the look on his face.
“Ah, well,” he said with a shrug.
“We’re all going as a group if you want to join our table,” Frankie offered.
“Great. Can’t wait.” He gave another signature smile and left.
“Well, that was easy,” Frankie said. “Didn’t even know about the gala ten seconds ago and now you have three dates to it. Must be some kind of record.”
I laughed, happy to have another friend added to our group. But secretly, I wished I could go with Nolan.
A few nights later, I fussed at my reflection in the floor length mirror of Nolan’s guest bathroom. He was working late, and I was bummed he wouldn’t get to see me in my fancy gala getup. All day, excitement and anticipation had buzzed through me in equal measure.
Upbeat music and happy chatter filtered down the hallway—Cora and Daphne had flown in and were pregaming in the kitchen with Cressida. Another girls’ weekend sleepover was just what the doctor ordered. A few minutes later, Cressida poked her head in the bathroom, her stark blonde hair twisted into rollers. “Stop fidgeting. You look stunning.The guys won’t be able to keep their eyes off of you. And one guy in particular,” she said in a low voice, waggling her perfectly plucked eyebrows.
“Thanks,” I mumbled as I attempted to wrestle my hair into an updo.
“Here, let me.” Cressida slid the remaining pins into my hair with expert precision, then gave my curls a fluff and a quick spritz of hairspray. As she squeezed my shoulders, she made eye contact with me in the mirror. “You’re gorgeous. He’ll love it.”
“I thought Nolan was too busy to attend.”
“Oh, he’ll be there. He’d never miss out on seeing you in that dress.”
