ng arrived q

ss his impossibly white walls. The penthouse was still, save for the faint sound of coffee brew

rules between them. No

nes. An

f what they'd bo

body, and padded toward the kitchen, following the sce

n sweats and a black T-shi

back. "You eat breakfast, right? Or are

ainst the counter. "That depe

a mug. "It's excellent. I persona

cepting the mug

a box of fresh pastries. "And I pick up very expen

of coffee. "You're doi

hen, a quiet intimacy forming between shared bi

ce stretched, Ag

ot to something real, the

nspok

sat on the terrace, ov

chest as the wind rustled her

ned bench beside her. "Because

ecause we're trying to build s

city for a long ti

me with terms," he said quietly. "Even in college.

ed at the confess

or a pre-written script. You looked me in the eye and saw some

and. "Maybe because I'm

ers laced, hearts soft-

his to wo

eath c

," she w

," he continued, "we do

d. "What doe

rk. In public. No more lines. N

d. "So you want

he said. "And I want

rt swelled-

spotlight. The scrutiny. The whispers of

into James's eyes, a

she said. "

y – E

as they walked into Ree

suit. His hand rested gently at her back as they exited the elevator on the exe

n't said

didn't

me, it was

O James Reed and Executive As

on, the rooftop fundraiser. Every image painted a perfect love

doors, Agnes still

to this," she said in the

gree," he said cal

u. Not to becomin

ck of hair behind her ear. "Then let them t

and the fear inside

in the B

veryone w

whispers had tur

es-Gerald Langston, the kind of man who smelle

smile, "I believe we should ad

w tightene

sistant. There's concern about opt

irectly to me. As of today, she's been reassign

That hadn't b

d a brow. "T

eplied coolly. "And removes

some of the board feels your relations

s st

m fell

" he said calmly, "then speak now. But if your concern is rooted in outdate

ne s

looke

g adjo

Prom

fice, Agnes st

ed me without

t to pro

I didn't want

you rather I let them te

can handle being judged,

But I'm not letting anyone

ooked

ed for h

team is leading the expansion int

ed to his. "Th

said. "Not because o

d her eyes. "And y

You think I'm letting

ht – No Tu

he didn't take her to a penthouse. He took her to a quiet restau

ere going publi

everything has

they talked about books, ch

the drive home, Agnes realized s

in love

t revenge. Or st

ple who were finally

r to her door,

say somethi

wa

now I screw things up. But I

heart

whispered. "Unles

r slowly, sw

t time in years,

e James wa

e was trying