Page 3 of Something’s Brewing

A smile tugged at his mouth.

“Fair enough. Let me try again.” He spun her gently before drawing her back in. “What’s your name?”

For a moment she didn’t answer. Her eyes softened behind the edge of her mask.

“I’m flattered you asked,” she said finally.

“That sounds like a ‘but.’ ”

“There is definitely a ‘but.’ ”

Garrett chuckled. “Alright. Let’s hear it.”

She took a breath. “My life just changed. Drastically,” she said. “Like, packed-up-everything-and-started-over changed.”

He raised a brow. “That’s a pretty big change.”

“It is.” Her smile was calm but firm. “Which means I’m not looking for a relationship. Or a date. Or anything that might complicate things.”

He waited, curious where she was going with this.

“So,” she continued, “I’d rather stay anonymous.”

He blinked. “Anonymous?”

“Yes.” She lifted her shoulders slightly, almost playful now. “I’d rather this just be a really good night. One great memory. Two strangers who met at a masquerade ball and had a wonderful evening before disappearing back into their real lives.”

Garrett studied her for a second. Normally he’d tease. Push a little. Try to get the answer anyway. But something about the quiet honesty in her voice stopped him.

And the strange thing was, he didn’t feel rejected. If anything, the moment felt more meaningful.

He nodded once. “I can respect that.”

She searched his face like she was making sure he meant it. “You’re not going to try to guess?”

“Tempting,” he admitted. “But I’m not looking for a relationship either.”

“Really?”

“Really.” He shrugged lightly. “I came tonight out of obligation.”

“How so?”

“Nope. Too much information.” He glanced around the crowded ballroom before looking back at her.

“Well,” she said softly, placing her hand back in his as the music shifted into another song. “If we’re both anonymous and neither of us is looking for anything complicated . . .”

He raised his brows.

“Then we might as well enjoy the night,” she finished.

Garrett smiled. “Sounds like a plan.”

The rest of the evening passed in a blur.

Madison couldn’t remember the last time she’d spent hours talking to someone so easily. They danced through song after song, sometimes laughing, sometimes drifting into conversations that felt oddly deeper than what two strangers should share.

They talked about travel. About favorite books. About the strange directions life sometimes took when you least expected it.