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“I enjoy making money.” I glanced around the room. “Introduce me to the senator.”

“No business tonight.” She placed her hand on her hip. “You’re here to create suspense for your project. Trust me, people are already talking about what you’re planning. Let them come to you.”

As much as I hated to admit it, she had a point. It was wiser for me to obtain the last property I needed in the community before I finalized the investors. The last thing I needed was for this failed innkeeper to make waves and create bad press. I had a meeting with the owner tomorrow with my attorney present, and I was prepared to offer them a fair amount for the house, which needed to be demolished and rebuilt.

“I have to go see when the ballroom will be open for dinner.” Ellie kissed my cheek. “Try to unwind and find something other than your new resort to think about. You look so handsome in that suit. I knew you would.”

I rolled my eyes as she scurried off to guilt people into writing bigger checks. While I scanned the room, making mental notes of people I would contact once I secured the last property, my gaze landed on the clumsy beauty awkwardly standing by the high-top table. The one I suggested we go to before Ellie interrupted us.

Is she waiting for me?

I grabbed two flutes of champagne from the tray of an accommodating server and decided to take my sister’s advice. I will find a way to enjoy myself.

When I approached the silver-masked woman, she fidgeted with the top of her dress.

“It’s perfect.” I set the flutes down on the table. “You’re perfect.”

“Hello.” She brushed her hand along her shoulder and to the back of her neck.

“Where is your friend-slash-date?” I asked.

“Jay’s over there.” She nodded to the bar. “Flirting with that really cute guy.”

Since Jay was flirting in front of her, I would assume he was just her friend. Good for me.

“Your friend is talking to Brandon Campbell.” He and I had gone to undergraduate school together. In the last twenty years, he’d found much success in the restaurant industry. I made another mental note to reach out to him next week. “Jay has nice taste.”

“Maybe it’s Brandon who has good taste.” She finished the champagne in the glass she already held. “Do you know him?”

“I pretty much know everyone here in some capacity.” I took the empty glass from her and replaced it with the fresh one I had brought from the bar. “Except for you and Jay.”

“We’re not party crashers or anything.”

“I didn’t say you were.” But I may have thought it.

“Jay’s aunt couldn’t make it, so she gave him the tickets, and he invited me.” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “I knew it was going to be fancy but this…” She motioned around the room. “Ice carvings, more flowers than at a royal wedding, and all these people in their designer dresses looking like they belong in an episode of Beverly Hills Housewives. I had no idea. I got my dress from a thrift store yesterday, and I borrowed these death-trap shoes from Jay’s sister.”

Seriously, where did you come from?

“Oops.” She placed her hand over her mouth. “Jay told me not to mention the thrift shop to anyone.”

“Your secret is safe with me.” I took a sip from the flute, vowing to have something stronger with dinner. “For the record, your thrift store dress is the most stunning one here.”

“Thank you.” She bit the corner of her lip. “You caught my attention right away.”

“Really?” Do tell.

“You have to know you stand out in a crowd, but this suit is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. I don’t think many men could pull off a red suit, but there’s something about you that makes it work.”

“I don’t lack confidence.” I found her honesty refreshing. It was as if she had no filter when it came to what was in her head. But at the same time, she was shrouded in mystery.

“When you stepped out of that elevator, people noticed you. I noticed you.” She shook her head, and this time her nervous giggle was more prominent. “It might be the champagne. I’m usually not this forward.”

“It works for you.”

“Maybe it’s the masks or the intrigue of the evening.” She shrugged. “I thought I’d be more anxious about coming here and not knowing anyone or what to expect at such an elaborate party, but bumping into you has settled my nerves in a strange way.”

Where the hell is my sister? I would demand she sit this woman by my side at dinner. I had no idea who she was or where she came from, but I didn’t want her out of my sight for the rest of the night.