planning this di

the formal room to the open space by the windows because she wanted people to see the view. She ordered white centerpieces, tall and arch

caterers were vis

cked his words like he was defusing something. "Ms. Ashford had specific preferences on file with us. Crystal for

rn ones," Isabella sa

ore irritating than if he had just said it flat. "Ms. Ashford set the acc

moment. "Well, I'm telling

he exchanged with the woman arranging the side table. Quick and sideways. The

t to fi

.

p closed, ready in the way he was always ready, assem

are being awkw

e checked his watch. "Wh

ed to adjust the guest list quietly. Small suggestions that Roman adopted without realizing they ha

room is off," she said. "Too

panel in the hallway. Sera ha

n the room for

it out," Is

ht, the kind that made the room feel smaller than i

.

rrived a

smile easy, remembered the right details, asked the right questions. She was the kind of warm that fill

on ran from business to a board member's lake house renovation to a film everyone

d in social settings, which was participate correctl

way Felix arrived everywhere. He shook Roman's hand, dropped into his seat, and scanned the tab

r. Last time I ended up next to Mercer for three hours and I nearly." He looked up. Found Isabella watching him from the other end of

tened. Just once

board member on her left, and the table moved again

x walked in. The way his eyes had gone there automatically, before

oo, when the first couple arr

x's comment. He was c

.

sts left jus

g it in her head into the story she would tell tomorrow. She had carried the whole night. She knew it

t well,"

Roman

as embar

dn't m

the window with his drink, not sitting, not settle

a mi

aken what she had, and she was not going to spend what was left

t, kissed his jaw

.

ood at t

The apartment was quiet, the caterers go

ding, sometimes already asleep. He had never asked how the evening had gone from her side of the t

uzzed on th

for it au

eiress Emerges: Who I

e dark with her name

red over it fo

e open

.