mered like a jewe

ned the windows, softly billowing as the air-conditioning hummed. Waiters glided through

lanthropic circuit. Everyone who was anyone in social advocacy, business, and p

nfidence. Her hair was swept into a low chignon, a few tendrils escaping to frame

eynote speech, the final wor

dignity. It's about listening. And most of all-it's about showing up." The audience had risen to their feet. She'd smiled, bowed

ound her, Isabel suddenly felt a strange stillness settle in her chest. As though something was

watch. Just a simple black suit, classic but understated, and an expression that didn't scan t

t was brief. Bare

ic passed through he

ed away

erself it

e told a dif

eva hadn't pl

truism. Everyone smiled too wide and drank too much. But then one of his old college friend

ost said

el Reyes' name on

nitarian. The girl from a fishing village who built an empire of c

mething els

ered a good speech-sh

t to ignite. Marco had watched the way her hands moved as she talked, how she

get his wine. F

to br

s later, debating whether to introduce himself,

d to hear her

, waiting until the crow

me," h

tu

looked at each other-curiosity

traordinary spe

modest smile

, holding out a hand

as firm. Warm.

"I mean-of course, I know. I came mostly

g her head slightly.

ne who's trying to figure out how to do b

rn to be caug

th an agenda. A proposal. A f

cerity

ed in advocacy

fits with impact strategy

you d

ike to see where

t's

seconds, the noise of the b

an I ask you som

d a brow. "T

t tired of carr

ked. "Al

The attention. The responsibilit

ever aske

spond. Closed it. Then sai

m glad I

saw someone who wasn't dazzled by he

st sa

ore intimate t

xchange numbe

elevators, trading stories about child

he emcee mispronouncing "susta

the hotel entrance, the late-night

, "I'd like to hear more about

el replied, alre

ful, testing-made it clear she

pear into the waiting car, kn

et someone who cou