motions, her gaze occasionally drifting toward the entrance of the bar. It was the slowest part of the night-when the regulars ha

ween them was no longer subtle; it was loud, constant, and exhausting. Every word, every

ddle-aged man nursing a whiskey

is head wi

ed the bar and took a seat near the corner b

t Jay Roberts?" on

froze

replied, twirling a st

ity. Tech genius, ruthless CEO, total recluse. But lately-he's been throw

nd

n closer. "Rumor is, he's looking

sparked something in her memory. Then it clicked. The business card

thers think it's just a stunt to keep his family off his back," the wo

ck card again. She hadn't told Emma or Andrew about it-honestly, she hadn't even planned to keep it. B

ind the figure that entered. Tall. Composed. Dressed in a tailored charcoal suit tha

eath caught

sharp, hawk-like eyes u

art po

. When he reached the counter, he didn't speak right away. Instead, he reached into

said, voice

at the envelope

nvita

wh

nowing smile. "

ay, disappearing through the exit

elvety to the touch. Elegant silver lettering shimmered in the bar's dim

ly invited to Th

rp. No plus one. D

No phone number. No

d in a mix of anxi

this

*h

omeone to laugh, to point out a prank-b

t deep into her purse. Just then, the door opened again a

ed, frowning at he

ckly. "Yeah. J

ut early if you need. It

r apron over, grabbed her coat, and

wind. Could this be the opportunity Emma hinted at? Co

ity's finest women fawning over him. Why would he send an

llway was quiet. Dim lights flickered above. She opened the

pty. A note lay on the t

e salon. Don

a hole in her purse. She reached for it again, staring at t

nger... o

out to put it away

wn nu

d hesitantl

Sanders, we look forward to see

ne wen

phone still pr

ew he