floor, Clara was waiting by the do

nd quiet. "Tread lightly. M

ghtened her shoulders a

a magazine sailed across the room, the edge cat

his desk, eyes blazing. "What i

ernet overnight, but there was no calling back print. One

I told you Michael did this on purpose, that n

. "You're not just any employee. You're Roberts Group's director and head designer. You know exa

d about the Clarke family, don't be. Almost no one kno

ree years-just waiting for your old flame to show up so you could pick

-icy, silent-met his without wavering. There was

other. His voice turned even sharper. "You're going to apologize to Vincent. R

. All her life, that was all they saw-a brid

t's needed. We have a massive branding campaign coming up, and Vincent's inves

me campaign built on Mom's old sketches, right? The ones you trot out every time you

a!" Glenn shouted, hand

, the door swung wide. The

ssible to read, but the air crackled with presence.

dropped, and a hasty smile flickered on his f

past her father, c

in his pocket, the other holding her forgotten purse.

"What a surprise. Please, have a

." Vincent lifted it slightly, then added, "I a

rst visit to Roberts Group. Glenn could barely contain his excitement, immediately shifti

mposed and cool. "I've had a packed sc

, turning sharply to Dayna. "Don't just

r without a second thought, walk

rkspace, hearing Vincent's foot

od nearby, lingerin

d the purse from Vincent. "I rushed out earlier

marring her cheek-a silent acknowledgment of

ets, he spoke up unexpectedly. "

hrown off by the quest

er-of-fact. "I haven't reviewed the details yet. But

se of my mother's legacy. She was the creative force behind everything. For years, my father's cashed in

roup made it this far with help from Clarke Group. But I'm sure I c

pause. A subtle nod, almost approving, p

step forward, meaning to thank him, but her foot

aching out and steadying her

them vanished, and Dayna's pulse

cent's chest, the shape of her lips st

assment swept over her. "I... I

n leaned in until his words tickled her ear. "If you want to be