building at 7:32 p.m. exactly. She'd spent the last hour

ulder, fitted through the bodice then flowing into a subtle train. It cost more than three months of her old rent. She hated how perfectly it

the only jewelry she owned worth wearing: her father's silver chain with its tiny anchor pendant. A reminder. She wasn't

up to the entrance of The Plaza Hotel. Red carpet. Photographers. Security in

le small and practiced, the way Elena had drilled her during th

she s

d poured on. No tie tonight-just the top button of his shirt undone, a sliver

pitched for her ears alone. "You

nd in his. Warm.

dress," she

best." His thumb brushed the inside of her wrist-deliberat

cameras clicked around them.

offered his arm. She took it. They walked in

ing soft and romantic. Tables seated ten, each with centerpieces of white orchids and dripping candles. At the head table: Alexander, Sophie, the merger

ith effortless courtesy. As she sat,

every way that matters to him. Smile. Touch my arm. Laugh at my jokes. And if he as

ath grazed his jaw. "And if I decide to tell hi

d amused. "Then you'll find out exactly how f

anded like a sp

e as Harold Grays

ng this lovely young woman a

ve without touching her. "She walked into my office and called me out i

ne. Rare in our world. And you, my dear-what

to write. Investigative pieces. Corporate acco

refreshing, Harold. Most of the women in this roo

ust a graze-as he reached for his wine glass. The touch w

ut groveling, commanding without bullying. He deferred to Harold on golf handicaps and vintage Bordeaux,

hand rest on Alexander's forearm once when Harold made a joke about "young love." Each

in course, Harold lean

, but you're alone. A man like you-unattached-can make reckless moves. I needed to see

, but his hand found hers under the

" he said, voice low and sincere enou

nclined to sign tomorrow.

he charade was working. And Alexander's thumb was tra

mself to take a call-something about Tokyo markets. Sophie watched

r. Softer. I've known him since he was twenty-five. N

le. "We're still fi

hand. "That's how

had shifted to slower music. Couple

his hand. "D

't a qu

t him lead he

settled on his shoulder. They moved to

at this," s

se to her temple. "But never with some

said automatically. Then

y line of his body against hers. "Good. Because we're going to hav

mmered. "How

ons it. Enough that Harold signs. Enough that... whe

is eyes. They were darker now, pup

nning," she

ed fractionally.

use rippled around th

xander on the back. "Beautiful,

eluctantly. "Thank you, Harold.

n. This time Alexander didn't just offer his arm. He slid his hand to the sma

s blin

gainst her hair. "One m

ne, he tilted her chin up wi

k. Not a

parting hers just enough to taste

mouth, to the way his hand cupped the back of he

her lips tingled. H

ing," he sa

ed-speechle

the cool night air. The

e door for her, the

rtitio

etched-thic

to her i

lace or

et hi

," she

etween performance and real

sure she wanted