y part-time consulting gig. I'd helped develop pastry menus for a few of their boutique hot

en I finally found the right office, the administ

Her eyes flickered over me

ck with unspoken things. Whisp

one who made a sc

kson Harrington, c

was after h

the story was out. Jac

paperwork, Blair

l suit, a file folder tucked under her arm. She stopp

ice carrying easily. "Those reports

rington.

"Miss Kennedy!

liberately, turned her eyes to me. A sm

tone was all feigned surprise. "I th

happening around here. Jackson is taking on so much more responsibil

"He feels terrible about your grandmother, by the

ty was a slap

at her. "I'm h

t's for the best. Things might have gotten... awkward." She let out a litt

in the air. I wasn't

e heir then, just Jack. Charming, funny, a little lost. I was drawn to his v

t small gigs. Back then, his family's wealth was a dis

came more frequent. Blair Kennedy, his "childhood friend," was suddenly back in

he's like a sister, Em. It's

ved him.

culated move. A way to keep me quiet, to keep me

re finally ready. I sign

Blair called out, her

ackson asked me t

ll, velvet box. My

g. Please,

n't t

nestled on satin, was a single,

d." Her smile was wide, triumphan

I'd never owned

A deliberate,

a word, her laughte