Paxton: What a messy little heartquake.
Paxton: Want me to come rescue you?
Paxton: Start a small fire?
Paxton: I have a lighter and a tendency to overreact.
Me: NO. Haha. I just need to not pass out. And maybe erase the last three months of my life.
Paxton: Oh honey… Deep breaths. Chin up. You’ve got this. Text me updates.
When I finally step back into the ballroom, my pulse has calmed enough to fake composure. Dad’s still talking with Knox near the stage, both of them looking far too at ease. Maybe if I walk slow enough, this night will undo itself. Maybe if I breathe…
Steeling myself, I cross the room and tapMont’sarm. “Hey, Dad. I think I’m gonna head out.”
He frowns. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Just tired. Been here a while.”
“Are you still headed to Vermont with Paxton tomorrow?”
I freeze.
Knox’s glass pauses halfway to his lips. “Vermont?”
Dad chuckles, even more oblivious. “She wants to reconnect with some old friends up there before reporting to the office Monday.”
Knox rocks back on his heels, masking a smirk that can’t quite hide the flicker in his eyes.
“I’ll call an Uber,” I tell Dad quickly.
He waves a hand. “Sweetie, don’t be ridiculous. Stan’s only twelve minutes out. I’ll have him take you home.”
“Dad.” I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Your driver doesn’t need to take me.” I flash him my phone. “Uber’s five minutes away.”
“Or”—Knox interjects, that heroic edge threading through—“I can take her.”
My heart trips, his raspy tenor pulling me straight back to Crystal Cove.
Dad turns to him, clearly pleased. “You sure? Upper West Side. The Langley.”
Knox nods. “Of course.”
Dad smiles at me, tenderly, completely unaware of the storm twisting through my chest. “I trust Knox with my life, and yours too.”
If only he knew.
CHAPTER 37
Knox
Of all the women I could’ve fallen for, it had to be my business partner’s daughter.
Francesca Camille Beaumont.
Cami.
Daughter of New York’s most connected, most influential businessman. Oliver Beaumont.
