r four

es." To Brian, they were obligations tedious evenings wrapped in stiff suits and polished smiles. He was ex

urprised him a

l to

zle outside, clutching a bag like a soldier clinging to a shield. She didn't blend in like the others. No carefully rehear

ng through it. And then she flushed, gaze darting do

hest shifted an ache h

ed. She curled her hand around his arm, her diamond ca

f who he was, where he was, and why. Clarissa's family aligned with his. Their engag

ds with professors and trustees, Brian caught

n she w

grin who seemed to be doing all the talking. The girl from the diner hi

st a little too tight. Brian should have kept walking. But when the brunette joked about "

he said evenly, "then by al

ed up at him

idn't know what to do under the weight of his gaze. She whispered

rian felt the echo of her words ripple

e waiting." Her smile was perfect, practiced, though her e

back into his role the charming heir, the future CEO, the

m one last time. Across the parking lot, she stood frozen, still clutching her ba

econd, her eyes

then. Something neither of the

e Clarissa. He told himself it was nothing. That she was n

t of irritation and something darker, more dangerous th

fully