te surrounded by beautiful trees. Beyond the g

gainst the scanner. The gates opened smoothly and si

ple go to make deals and hide bo

game." Damien

re valets and staff wait. Luxury cars line the s

e she can react. She steps out,

king at her, tossing his keys t

Wolfe. Welco

en no

the east win

egant people walk around the entrance with glasses of ch

rns to

t I am again?"

nths. You model part-time, you don't drink too much, and you're n

matching

'm fasci

s all that matters." he s

ance. A man in a navy sui

"Damien! Y

ntly into charm-mode) "W

ien on the back,

ho is this beau

smi

et you, Mr Hollowa

kled, clearl

mien, you've finally brought someone who do

resting lightly at the small part of Le

ttle differ

. Maybe she'll

ena leaned in to Damie

elcome, b

briefly without smil

ce isn't as s

re walking around with champagne flutes and small talk and laughter.

ck. It looks casual, practiced, but Lena can feel how

mpagne, but doesn't offer one to Lena. She g

ing through

e charming when you're f

sipping h

need to c

suits and a woman in a white

: "Damien Wolfe. I was beginning t

) "Thought I'd try somet

hand on Le

s is Lena; m

t a bit uncomfortable but she smiled easily, just

very little, actually. Damien doesn't t

charmed. The wom

ife: "I like

s; small talk, name-dropping, mentions of art auctions and vineyard investments.

the group d

g at him) "See

rong word here and it won't jus

And here I was thinkin

lating what you're worth. Just stay quiet, stay pr

ng toward a group of men near the bar. Lena

er, an unfamiliar man with kind eyes with a

e guess... girlf

y as she turned, covering her

nvestor pretending to fl

ghs, liftin

Miles." the st

he said wi

ilted hi

like most of the women who ge

ey look like?" L

your mind's somewher

" Lena said wi

face like someone who

to decorate Damien W

tes, just f

imes. When I'm not pretending I enjoy ch

iance. Like you're holding your real self in

se. No one at this party had see

rson here who didn't look

g. They make things interestin

felt like someone was behind her, and she doesn't have

n: "M

n his pocket, the other hand holding a drink. He stares at

thing's off) "Damien. Just g

at Lena then tu

ore than

not sure if she is flattered or annoy

t. Didn't peg you for the cre

Damien responded, hi

himself between them just enough to make the shift clear.

inging. Some of us actually care what y

disappearing into the party. Lena watched h

her breath) "

ack before you forgot your

talked to someone l

een getting cozy with ot

I adapted." (with

slightly) "Next t

ed at him

lk away like I'm par

lking laughing and complimenting each other. Damien

he pool terrace in f

Her heart is racing, not from Miles, not from the party, but from Dam

w much of her