Brand

worn in years. His eyes softened, a distant look in them, as if he was seeing the girl he' d met all tho

r faces, greeted me with forced enthusiasm, their words of praise ringing hollow. "Alexis, darling, you look stunning! Austin's be

, his brow furrowed. I held my wine glass, my gaze drifting c

o Austin and Alexis! A proper,

cheeks flushed, a warmth spreading through me that had nothing to do with h

his face pale with panic. "Mr. Alexander! Eva!

ined of color. He let go of my hand, all traces of the old A

ft, almost a whisper, my hand

rring with urgency. "Alexis, this isn't the time for

Slowly. Deliberately.

ver, who was still standing there, bewildered. "Here," I said, handing him the file, the one wi

in's retreating figure disappear into the night. The fake smile dropped fr

m my father. "I' m at the

. It was over. The past was g