“But you’re not actually soft,” he adds, eyes dropping down my body like he’s checking muscle definition. “You work out.”
I blink, stunned by the casual audacity of this man.
“Barre,” I say before I can stop myself.
Theo’s eyes light up. “Knew it. You danced.”
My throat feels dry all of a sudden.
“When I was younger.”
“Why’d you stop?” he asks, and this time the question isn’t teasing. It’s curious. Genuine.
It hits too close.
Like someone put a finger on a bruise and pressed.
That’s not a question strangers get to ask.
I force my smile back into place, the professional one, the one that holds everything together.
“Thank you,” I say smoothly, turning back to Julian before Theo can pull me into something personal. “If there are no further questions, I’ll begin coordinating with your departments immediately. You’ll have the updated run-of-show by the end of the week.”
I see Theo’s grin fade slightly, like he knows he pushed too far.
Good.
Julian stands.
That simple movement shifts the room.
“Thank you, Ms. Bennett,” he says. “This works.”
Relief flickers through me, quick and hot.
“Great,” I manage. “I’ll...”
“Send it to Rowan,” he adds, and my stomach dips again because I'm pretty sure Rowan handles security, not event planning.
Rowan nods once, as if he already expected that instruction.
Elliot rises as well. “Pleasure seeing you again, Lucy.”
Theo adds, “See you at the party,” like it’s a promise.
Caleb simply collects his briefcase and walks out.
One by one, they file out of the room, leaving behind the faint scent of expensive cologne and power.
I exhale.Okay. That wasn’t awful.
That was… strange, but manageable.
I begin gathering my things... laptop, notes, bag...
And then I realize Julian hasn’t moved.
He’s still standing near the end of the table, watching me with an expression I can’t read.
