Cassidy finishes her conversation and glides toward us with a brittle smile.
“Daniel Williams.” Her voice carries across the terrace, making heads turn. “Fancy meeting you here.”
Several guests look our way with interest. This is precisely what she wants. An audience.
“Cassidy.” I keep my voice calm, but my grip on Bailey tightens. “This is unexpected.”
“Is it?” She stops in front of us, eyes raking over Bailey with barely concealed disgust. “I heard through the grapevine that you were pitching Whitmore’s group. I couldn’t resist stopping by.” Her smile widens. “You know how I love a good performance.”
Bailey stiffens beside me.
“I wasn’t aware you knew Whitmore.”
“Oh, I know everyone, darling. You taught me that networking is everything, remember?” She turns her full attention to Bailey, extending a perfectly manicured hand. “We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Cassidy Monroe. Daniel’s … well, let’s say we have history.”
“Bailey Rodgers.” Bailey shakes her hand briefly. “I’ve heard about you.”
“Have you?” Cassidy’s eyes glitter with amusement. “I’m sure Daniel has painted me as quite the villain. He does love a good narrative.”
“Actually, he hasn’t mentioned you much at all.”
The barb lands. Cassidy’s smile tightens fractionally before smoothing back into place.
“How refreshing, though I suppose that makes sense. Daniel has never been one to dwell on the past. He is always moving forward, aren’t you darling? Always on to the next thing.” She takes a sip of her champagne. “Tell me, Bailey, how long have you two been together? Three weeks? Four?”
“That’s not really your concern,” I say.
“I’m just curious. You two look so devoted.” She tilts her head, studying us like specimens. “It’s quite the transformation. The last time I saw you, Daniel, you swore you’d never be able to love anyone else like you loved me.”
Bailey’s posture goes rigid.
“Things change,” I say coldly.
“Apparently.” Cassidy’s gaze slides between us. “You know what I think? I think you two are absolutely precious together. It’s almost like something out of a storybook. The powerful CEO and the talented ingénue.” She leans in conspiratorially toward Bailey. “He does this thing where he makes you feel like you’re the only person in the world. It’s intoxicating, isn’t it?”
“Cassidy—” I warn.
“But here’s the thing about Daniel Williams.” She continues as if I haven’t spoken. “He’s very good at showing people exactly what they want to see. It’s one of his greatest talents.”
“That’s enough,” I say sharply.
Several nearby conversations have stopped. People are watching now, sensing drama.
“I’m just being honest.” Cassidy’s voice drips with false innocence. “Bailey deserves to know what she has gotten into. This all-consuming attention is wonderful until it isn’t. Soon, he’ll get bored or scared or whatever triggers that emotional shutdown he does, then you’ll be exactly where I was, wondering what you did wrong.”
Bailey’s voice is steady when she speaks, but I hear the edge underneath. “I appreciate the warning, but I can make my own decisions.”
“Of course you can. You seem very intelligent.” Cassidy’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “But intelligence doesn’t protect you from heartbreak. Trust me, I learned that the hard way. Anyway, this thing with you two … it’s a great story, shame it’s only fiction.”
The terrace has gone almost completely quiet. Everyone is watching now.
Bailey steps forward slightly, putting herself between Cassidy and me. “You don’t know anything about us.”
“Don’t I?” Cassidy laughs. “I know Daniel. I know this will end with him finding some reason why it can’t work or with a boring story on why you’re better off without him, why he’s doing you a favor by pushing you away. And you’ll be left wondering if any of it was ever real.”
“That’s enough.” My voice cuts through the tension. “You’ve madeyour point. Now leave.”
Bailey’s hand finds mine, squeezing once. When she speaks, her voice is clear and carries across the terrace.
