-impossible task. The morning after the gala, as I sat nursing a cup of coffee

her expression a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "Yo

e swirling steam rising from my mug. "N

Jack Ashford," she pressed,

nonchalance. "It was just

ddess, with the most eligible billionaire in town on your

trying to keep my voice steady. "H

he arched a perfe

just a

seat across from me, her eyes narrowing. "You're hiding somethi

id quickly, per

ursed. "Yo

m n

ing to a conspiratorial whisper. "Listen, I'm your best friend, and I know y

ll," I insisted, tryin

awk. "Fine. Let's say I believe you-just for a s

I muttered,

ouble. He's rich, charming, and ridiculously good-looking, which means he's used to

e long haul," I said be

for a moment, I thou

king for someth

shaking my head. "Th

nowing look. "Stella, come on.

l," I repeated, hating

her eyes. "Fine. Keep your secrets

ul of

can be intoxicating, but they can also be d

tting closer to home than she

expression softening. "Because

a weak smi

toxicating, and I was already

through a book I wasn't reading. My phone buzze

message f

didn't scare yo

n, my heart doing an

t. Why would

e was almos

haven't heard

re how to inter

. Work, errands, y

h. But I'd like

se qui

:

pause befo

can't stop thi

atrice's warning echoed in my mind, but my hea

to see Jack, I enjoye

smiled. His smile was irresistible, I swore I was in love

scanned the sitting room, I had never seen anything like it bef

Stella? Wine or cha

e is fine

Jack returned with tw

ou go",

I got comfortable and relaxe

Jack said, studying me

I lied, avoi

lot to say about

prise flickering across

his tone calm but knowi

rd before, I'm sure," I

smile. "Let me guess. She war

" I said, choosing

ed, surprising me. "She

ponse I'd expected.

any sign of insincerity, but

ou here?" I a

aid, his voice soft but firm. "A

Ashford was full of contradictions-charm

f I can trust y

ill", he said moving close

him to get close, I wanted to have that kiss

adn't spoken. My heart pounded painfully in my chest, a steady thrum I was sure he could hear. I co

beautiful- endless eyes- seemed to hold everything

asked. It seemed

oftly, breaking the silence. His v

pered but "I want