14:32 – Daisy:Do you know yet about the weekend?
14:42 – Jenn:Can’t. Saturday date and Sunday I have to study.
14:43 – Daisy:Date? With who?
14:44 – Jenn:His name’s Walden, I know him from uni.
14:45 – Daisy:Tell me afterwards how it was. Miss you!
14:45 – Jenn:Miss you too. Next week?
14:46 – Daisy:Definitely!
14:47 – Jenn:What about you and Damian?
14:48 – Daisy:He rented a museum for us yesterday.
14:48 – Jenn:What!?
14:49 – Daisy:Yes, we spent half the night there alone.
14:49 – Jenn:OMG!! That’s so cool! You have to tell me everything.
14:50 – Daisy:Yes!
14:50 – Jenn:You know I’ll still kick his ass if he pulls any more shit.
14:51 – Daisy:I know… love you!
14:51 – Jenn:Love you too!
I had barely set my phone aside when it vibrated again.
14:53 – Damian:What are you doing?
14:53 – Daisy:Working.
14:54 – Damian:Much to do?
14:55 – Daisy:Quite a bit. What about the hearing?
14:56 – Damian:I’ll pick you up at 6 p.m. We’re going out to dinner and then to the NYX.
The candlelight on the restaurant table flickered against the polished curve of my wineglass. Outside, rain tapped softly against the windows, a muted rhythm beneath the low hum of music drifting through the room. I looked across at Damian. His eyes never left me—steady and intent—as he lifted his glass, took a slow sip, then set it carefully back down.
“Will you tell me what came out of the meeting with the lawyers?”
“Mason’s lawyers want $850,000,” he said. “But that bastard won’t get a dime from me. If it goes to court, we play the hotel footage and he eats the charge. If the press gets it, he’s finished.”
“Would you testify?”
I hesitated, then slowly shook my head. “Only if there’s no other way. I want it behind me.”
“I’ll stand by you—whatever you decide.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, heat stirring in my chest.
A waitress arrived with bread and an appetizer platter. I spread a thin layer of truffle pâté across a slice and took a small bite.
