eannette exited. Guests, emboldened by their depart

er?" a woman with too much lipstick whispered loudly

countered, glancing at me. "Looks like he wa

red. "Allyson Moran, isn't it? She's

ound my waist. "Don't listen to them," he m

partment, never his public partner. Even his inner circle barely knew I existed. They knew Jea

ed. "Edward's usually so strategic about everything. Th

ied," another voice speculated. "S

ant, Allyson? More champagne? Another one of those delicious

e small, intricately folded origami crane peeking out from Brody' s bre

re," I joked, trying to lighten the mood. "It's gettin

ides," he glanced at his hands, "I've been shaking too many hands. They're a

t the soft fabric, retrieving the delicate paper bird

parently returned unnoticed, stood by a table, a glass of red wine

t 'quiet' or 'secretive.' It was, for all intents and purposes, exclusive. And... stable." He s

's word for it. Not loving

is voice regaining its usual composure, "she is a lifelong friend. An old acquaintance. Nothing more. Whil

history, right in

y, a tiny almond tart, and took

ed, my voice clear and cutting through the room like a knife

dy' s arm tightened around

contorted for a split second. A flash

meaning but ultimately misguided attempt at humor. "That origami bird, Bro

n is more than a 'keeper.' She's remarkable. And she

ely stated a fact about our relationship. One that Allyson, I believe, knows to be true. Her affections were, a

k, electric with

llyson Moran? Edward Atkins' assistant from years ago?" She looked at me, then back at Edward, a dawning real

lanced nervously at Jeannette, then back

o head out. This is clearly not the time or place." She tried t

said, his voice clipped. "

with tears. "You let me believe for weeks... You enco

ed out, but she was already ma

tance of Edward's, grumbled from the crowd. "Always so focused on the bottom line

Edward has always been a man of integrity, if a bit... socially awkward.

g, checked his watch, a familiar gesture of his impatience.

efore she disappeared from view. He took her arm, a gesture t

urgent as they walked away, "I need you to under

gone. Leaving me, and Brody, i