Natalie tried not to shiver at the feel of his breath on her neck. “They should have mentioned you by name. If not for you, the vase would still be forgotten.”

“Nah, I’m good with being ‘a workman.’”

“You don’t look like one tonight.”

“I’m not working.” Again with the low, intimate whisper. “Although I’m feeling partial to ‘building designer’ these days.” He finished his champagne and helped himself to another glass.

She took a half step away from him, trying to figure out if he was flirting. Trying to figure out if she wanted that from him.

The last panel of the display featured a wonderful photograph of her grandfather and Aisin Tang together at the bookstore, sharing a warm greeting.

“I’m really proud of him. He could have tried to claim ownership of the piece. Could have wiped out the debt and back taxes, then retired in luxury to Ibiza. But he didn’t. He gave it back. I like to think I’d have done the same thing.”

“You would have done the same thing,” Peach told her.

“How do you know?”

“You seem like the type of person who wouldn’t keep something meant for somebody else.”

She looked up at him. His eyes were very, very blue. “I hope you’re right.”

He held her gaze for an extra-long moment. “I’m right. And—”

Another photographer took their picture and asked for their names.

“Flair MacKenzie and Dirk Digler,” Peach said without missing a beat.

Natalie managed to hold her laughter until the photographer moved on. “You’ve already had too much champagne,” she chided him.

“It’s a gala. We’re supposed to be drinking. Come on, let’s find our table.”

They were seated with Cleo, Bertie, and Grandy at their designated table. The others in their group were friends of the Tang family. Natalie guessed, judging by their clothes and jewelry, and the attention they were getting, that they were VIPs. She found it awkward to make small talk with them, but Peach and Bertie took over, keeping up a lively patter.

A parade of servers came through with domed platters of incredible food—handmade Chinese dumplings and dim sum shaped like tiny pomegranates and tangerines, gorgeously presented noodles in every color of the rainbow, and dishes with ingredients Natalie could only guess at. A red tea called Da Hong Pao was served, and one of the people at the table said it was so rare that it couldn’t be bought for any price but had to be received as a gift. Natalie found it earthy and bitter, but the whole meal delighted her, because Grandy was clearly savoring every bite.