, Ximena showed up at the most exclusive c

affair, she had gone out of h

utler had provided, she mad

arded the entrance, far more frighten

this was just a blind date, yet they we

to open the door, it swung

man in her middle year

ned for a split second before smoothing out again. "So y

s what was happening, she

epped in, she fro

le crowded around a m

Laura, sitting upright and composed, while

e and next to them-someone all too familiar, som

da

th was he d

a flash of surprise crossed his face be

ns twisted into

ver once had she expected her grandmother's car

say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Dixon." Laura spoke through cl

owly, forcing a s

oice but to steady herself a

r hips as she slipped into the vacant chair beside Aydan, a suf

en throwing Aydan an overdone wink. "My, this gentleman looks

lashes, and the air around him

a earlier-Aydan's mother, Sylvia Dixon-

impassive son before she sent a s

ishing she could haul her unruly grand

explained stiffly, "Ximena... has been indulged by us. She's

ry, looked like they wanted to

is; the arrangement was f

table quiet settl

r, Alexander Dixon,

should have character. Aydan is far too serious-the

a jolt of panic s

m... displeased by h

no sense

to economic trends, and then from family anecdotes to futur

scrolling on her phone and occ

age of a carefree, defiant girl h

sneaked glances at Aydan, only

occasional sip of water, he didn't

fec

ildly through

an's frosty attitude, this mat

te chatter, attention returned to the tw

oth expectation and scrutiny, "Aydan, what's your im

mediately sna

e and lifted her head, her express

lly script what wa

easure, rise from his seat, and wa

crossed him badly-and even managed

e could possibly b

e would offer a token apology, a

ty struck her

glass down, his eyes

gaze-and something sharp, l

said, "I was smitten with Dr.