of silver and white: snow-dusted branches stood in tall vases, crystal orbs glowed with tiny LED lights, and delicate icic

surface. Maya moved among them with practiced ease, clipboard in hand, hair pulled into a sleek ponytail, headset crackling

of excitement pulse

gined the guests stepping through, gasping in awe, swept into the world she'd dreamed into existence. And beyond the guests-

buzzed in

through in 10 mins.

ge in the ballroom two nights ago. She couldn't stop thinking about

a deep breath, and turned toward t

was tousled, and there was a faint smudge of fatigue beneath his eyes, but his gaze was sharp, assess

ing brightly. "Maya, it's perf

aky laugh, cheeks

drifting across the domed ceiling, the sweeping staircase now transformed into a glittering path of fr

said finally, voice low. "B

Maya's heart squeezed so hard she could

'll leave you two to discuss any last-minute detail

his pockets. "You've done so

his eyes. "It's because

trains of the string quartet warming up. His gaze dropped to h

ple remember," he said quietly. "Do you reall

face. "Yes," she said simpl

anced at the screen, jaw tightening. Without another word, he nodded curt

es of VIP guests, coordinated with photographers, and checked every table setting down to the placement of silver

wflake projections glowed brighter, candlelight flickered in crystal holders, and the to

She applied soft makeup that brought out her eyes, pinned her curls back from her face, and stared at herself in the mirror. The woman who

the door st

length gown. "Guests are arriving,"

ook a final steadying breath,

om the edges, heart soaring as she saw their faces light up with awe. Some stopped to take photos beneath the archways, other

beautiful rendition of a winter wa

alia, stunning in emerald green. "Maya," Talia whis

ugging her friend. "Th

, eyes misty. "I wouldn't

hing for one face. Then, like

ook even taller, his dark hair perfectly styled. But what stole her breath was the way he glanced up, scanning the

until he stood in front of her. His eyes swept over her gown, ling

ded, eyes darkening with s

t breathe.

to ask Ryan for a comment about the gala. He answered smoothly, shifting back int

ith candlelight, the menu a procession of delicacies: roasted pear salads, seared sea bass, tender filet migno

of the Morgan Foundation's mission, the children whose lives were changed by after-sch

tly, as Cassidy began introducing the evening's honore

ou," she continued, "to the woman who brought tonight's vision to life.

her, smiling, nodding. Maya's breath caught, cheek

as already watching her, expression unguarded for a brief, pr

loor beneath the swirling snowflake lights. Maya slipped away to the edge, watching

r. She turned, startled, to f

h me," he

ttered. "I do

firm, pulling her gently

on the small of her back, the other clasping hers. They moved slow

strength of his arms. She looked up into his eyes, dark and

lly do this,"

reathlessly.

rare smile. "Then w

of lights and shadows. She felt something shift ins

nce, Ryan leaned closer, his breath warm on her

errupted th

ited man who looked flustered. "Yo

rk with frustration, then looked back a

ded, br

hrough the crowd, leaving her standing alone, hear

pted compliments on the décor, and watched the silent auction raise tens of thousan

slipped into the night, wrapped in furs and glitteri

lroom doors, hands clas

didn't

e care of something urgent," she said gently. "He asked m

he forced a smile. "I'm j

More than a success.

c was silent, the candles burned low, and the snowflake lights stil

uld have been happy. The gala was perfect, guests were enchant

ink of was Ryan-his touch, his

single white rose lay on the marble floor, delicate petals untouched

beneath it. Her hands t

a

life could be if I let myself believe again. I'm sorry I had to leave. Please, mee

Ry

soaring. Tears slipped down her cheeks, b

, the place where everything had changed, an