Alright?”

“Who will we call tonight? Isn’t that Valentine Ball taking place this evening over at the Graff?”

The ball.

Troy.

For a moment she’d forgotten all about tonight’s ball. Remembering, made her breath catch, and her heart tumble to her feet.

She wasn’t going to be able to go.

She was going to miss tonight after all.

She blinked back tears, hating herself for even feeling sorry for herself. Doug was in trouble. Doug needed her. She couldn’t desert him now.

“Yes,” she said. “The ball is tonight. So let’s go home. Work on that plan, okay?”

Chapter Ten

‡‡

Troy was in the shower in his suite at the Graff when the text arrived. He didn’t notice the text until he’d finished shaving and dressing. It was while he was adjusting his tie in front of the bathroom mirror that his phone, left on the gleaming white marble counter, caught his eye.

He had a message.

He picked up the phone, checked it. It was from Taylor.

Doug showed up at the library this afternoon. He’s gotten himself into some trouble. Can’t go tonight. So very sorry. Apologies!!

He read the message a second time, disappointment washing through him.

She was bailing on him at the last minute, and yes, her brother was more important than the ball, but he’d be lying if he didn’t have some mixed emotions. He told himself she wasn’t rejecting him, but in light of all the ups and downs of the past week, perhaps he should have expected this.

Perhaps Taylor Harris was not the most reliable woman. Perhaps she was so wrapped up in her brother that there wasn’t time for anyone, or anything else. Or perhaps her brother was in crisis as she’d said… which meant that of course she needed to be with him.

Troy had a twin brother that was always in some sort of trouble. He knew better than any that there were some situations beyond one’s control. And this was one.

His disappointment over not attending with Taylor shifted to concern for her. She probably wasn’t happy at all right now. And God knows what trouble Doug had gotten himself into.

Troy frowned at his phone, wondering if he should call her. Did she need help? Was there something he could do?

Troy dragged a hand through his still damp hair before shooting her a brief response.

Family comes first. Do what you have to do and don’t worry about me. But are you okay? Do you need anything?

He hit send on the text and slipped his phone into the pocket of his black tuxedo trousers and went to work styling his hair and giving his tie one last little tweak.

He still needed to slip on his jacket, but he looked alright. Shouldn’t embarrass himself or anyone else tonight.

He was perfectly fine going to the ball solo. And it’s not as if Taylor was the only one to cancel on the Valentine Ball at the last minute. Dillon had decided to stay home with Dad. And out in California Daisy had a violent stomach bug so Cormac chose to stay with her instead of getting on a plane for Marietta.

He respected both Dillon and Cormac for making good choices. And if Taylor’s brother, Doug, was in trouble, then she was doing the right thing, staying home with him.

Fortunately, Brock and Harley were still joining him at the Sheenan table, and Jane and Mitch would be there, too.