“It’s sunny,” I say quietly. “And the dress isn’t short. Or particularly light.” My gaze lingers anyway. “Still… she is the kind of woman people notice the moment she walks into a room.”
“You’re being generous,” Harper scoffs. “She’s attractive, sure, but the effort leaks out of her, and it kills the charm. And she’s not getting nearly as much attention as she thinks. Half the men here—including your husband, mine, and several others—haven’t looked at her once.”
If only she knew.
The thought settles heavy and unsaid. I file it away with the others and shift the conversation to safer ground.
Colin
I can’t wait for this lunch to be over so I can have Ceci to myself. Yesterday and today, she’s barely looked at me, completely absorbed in organizing every last detail of this celebration. Lately, it feels like we don’t even have time to kiss. Not quick pecks, not stolen moments—nothing that resembles a real one.
My gaze sweeps the pool area, searching for her.
Instead, I catch Maya. Her expression is oddly fixed in the direction of Ceci’s parents, who are speaking with Edmundo from the marketing team.
What is she looking at, Edmundo, or Ceci’s parents?
Edmundo, obviously. She’s only met Philipp once, and I’m not even sure she’s been introduced to Ellen today. Not that I’ve been paying her much attention. Not this afternoon. Not even when she kept trying to edge her way into the conversations around me.
Then I see Ceci, leaning down to kiss Alicia on the forehead.
The sight softens something in my chest, and I start toward them. But Alicia heads inside, and Ceci turns the other way.
My steps falter.
She’s walking straight toward Maya.
My pulse spikes, thoughts colliding all at once.What do I do?
They begin talking. Ceci’s expression is calm, unchanged. There’s nothing wrong in her demeanor. She’s simply being polite, treating Maya the way she would any other guest.
Maya won’t say anything. She knows better. And if I walk over now, it would only draw attention, make it look like I have something to hide.
So I stay where I am.
Watching. Every muscle tight.
Poised to step in at the first sign of trouble.
Maya
Look at him… grandfather of the year, parading his little grandson like a badge of honor. I take another slow sip of my wine.
“It’s Maya, isn’t it?”
Of course. Her timing is impeccable. I turn, schooling my expression into something pleasant, practiced.
“Yes, Mrs. Montgomery. Everything is lovely. Thank you for the invitation, your home is beautiful.”
“Thank you. You’re one of my husband’s assistants. Of course I would invite you.”
The way she saysmy husband. As if the words alone are meant to draw blood, to stake a claim. It would be laughable if it weren’t so tedious. She doesn’t even take proper care of him—if she did, he never would have come to me. Colin needs areal woman. Someone who understands what he wants, what he needs, how to give it to him without hesitation.
“You seem quite young,” she continues, head tilting slightly as she studies me, a polite smile following the assessment. “You probably don’t have much experience yet. Still, Colin is an excellent professional. He must have seen something in you to trust you with such responsibility.”
This bitch.
Who does she think she is, talking down to me like that, dripping condescension? She doesn’t even have a real job.
