Sebastian stood and extended his hand. "Kim. Welcome."
His voice was neutral. His eyes were not. They moved over Kim with the same assessing look he gave everyone, searching for weaknesses, for tells.
Kim shook his hand firmly. "Mr. Dubois."
"Sebastian, please." He released her hand. "We're all family here."
Aria was next, pulling Kim into a brief hug. "Ignore Sebastian's interrogation face. He can't help it. It's genetic." She stepped back, grinning. "I'm Aria. And I already like you."
"You've known her for thirty seconds," Sebastian said.
"I'm a quick judge of character." Aria linked her arm through Kim's and led her toward the table. "Come, sit. Tell me everything. How did you meet? What do you see in Xavier? How much is he paying you to put up with him?"
How did she figure it out so quickly? "I'm joking." I breathed a sigh of relief when she winked at Kim. "Mostly."
Dinner was served. Course after course of food Kim barely touched, though she made a good show of eating. I sat beside her, close enough that our arms brushed when we moved. Playing the part. Making it look real.
The conversation flowed around us. Sebastian discussed business. Aria asked about Kim's background, her dreams, and what she hoped for her future. Kim answered carefully, honestly, revealing enough to seem open without giving away anything too personal.
My grandmother watched. And waited.
Finally, between the main course and dessert, she spoke.
"Kim." Her voice was pleasant. A trap dressed up as kindness. "Tell me. How did you and Xavier meet? I don’timagine his lackluster corporate attitude would have attracted you.”
“Grandmother!”
“What? I’m sure everyone would agree with me.”
The table went quiet.
Kim set down her fork. Her eyes met my grandmother's without flinching.
"Actually… you’re right.” She turned to smile at me. “We did meet outside the office at first.”
I frowned. What? When? Was she about to make something up? I tried to communicate with her through my eyes.Don't lie, they’ll figure it out.But she was already looking at my grandmother again.
“I was working," she said. "At a bar in Brooklyn. It was late, and a group of men came in. They'd been drinking. One of them was... inappropriate with me."
Wait… I remembered that. That was her?
"Xavier stopped him. He didn't have to. It wasn't his problem. But he stepped in anyway. And then he made sure I was okay."
"How gallant." My grandmother's tone was unreadable.
"I thought so." Kim glanced at me. Our eyes met. "That was when I first noticed him.”
How did I not recognize her? Kim was too beautiful to go unnoticed.
"But you work for him now," my grandmother pressed. "Isn't that complicated?"
Kim shrugged. "It's unconventional. But I've learned not to fight things that feel right."
Aria made a soft sound. I looked over to see her pressing her hand to her chest. "That's so romantic."
"Xavier." Isabelle's voice came from behind us. I turned to see my sister standing in the doorway, arms crossed, eyebrowsraised. She must have arrived late, slipped in without fanfare. "Since when are you a gentleman?"
"Since always," I protested.
