Years

ly to prove I belonged in the corporate world rather than just being there because my last name. I was a Clement, and my father owned half the commercial real estate in the city. It was

signer gowns and expensive watches. The actual charity being supported-something about fundi

ned on about market trends, when I first saw Miles. He was across the ballroom, surrounded by a sm

ing to try-broad shoulders filling out his custom tuxedo perfectly, dark hair styled with just enough product to look intentional but not overdone

s own charmAnd then he smiled at me across the champagne table, and I felt something click into place that I'd never f

een him move. Up close, he was even more devastating-warm brown eyes with gold flecks, a jawline

se events are always the same. Same people, same conversations, same rubber chicken dinner. Same speech about how we're

ook younger, less polished, more real. "Cynical and honest. I like that. Most people at these th

iratorially. His cologne was subtle and expensive-sandalwood and something citrus. "I'm here because I need to be seen support

id, setting down both our glasses and