irs

et sofa, her feet finally free from the torture of the four-inch heels. Daniel opened his water bottl

acy between the two. Is that the boyfriend? Harrison wondered, a mysterious, bitter smile touching his lips.

who had spent two years weaving words of affection that Caroline mistook for mere friendship. To Caroline, Daniel was the charming

asked, though his eyes were darting between Harrison and Ta

that made Caroline's jeans and long-sleeved shirt look like rags. Caroline felt the sting of it-the realiza

introduce yourself?" Tania

old school friend, or a complication?" Har

Tania laughed, tucking a stran

'm going with Tania. Steven, y

r-induced fog finally lifting. "I'm still not okay

waiting for a final word. "Dede, listen to her. What

tanding up. He didn't look at the CEO; his gaze was fi

"I don't agree. Steven wi

wo weeks. She doesn't need a Marcus security detail to get to her own front door." He add

wanted to jump out the window. "This kid is dangerous," Steve

tanding up and grabbing her bag. "But Daniel is righ

for the stairs. Daniel followed her, throwing a victory

" Harrison said, thrusting the

Harriso

ned to Steven, who was watching him with

ey pulled away from the cur

screen. "Make sure you keep an eye on them!" he barked into the receive

ine, hysterical amusement. "Are you serious, Harry? You've hired a private

up, St

y Brand' heir is stalkin

ted red. "It's about the contract. I need to know if she's

rating with rage," Steven teased. "I should submit

nearly sending Steven throu

ha

of the

ey were desperate. With a sigh, the assistant stepped out onto the Havenport

can we ea

, neon-lit fast-food place a

stuff, Caroline. It'

ed, and I want a burger," she

th, tucked away from the window, oblivious to the man in a no

bserved, watching her tear into a box o

ome, Daniel. If I go home, I have to look at m

ering near hers before he pulled it back. "Th

traffic. The bus was crowded, and Daniel stood close to her, one hand on the overhead rai

a camera clicked fro

ning that he was being "too much." But tonight, she was silent, her head bowed a

uiding her off the bus at th

esidential complex built on the literal roof of a skyscraper. It was a forest in the cloud

venport was a sea of sparkling lights, a metropolitan

whispered. "It's... it'

it," he said, ste

ce stretching between them, a heavy, suffocating thing. He looked at the girl he had loved for two

thought. I'm losing her

stepped forward and pulled her into a hug from the side, drawing her head against his chest. H

," he whispered into her hair.

a sudden, jarring realization. Daniel? Spontaneously, her e

groaned, clut

mix of confusion and annoyance. "My head is a mess

harp elbows" or his "fragile ego." He looked at her with an expre

ike I'm joki