Page 273 of Secret Heir For The Billionaire Twin

“Thank you.”

Mark nods toward the monitor.

“It’s one of the strongest long-form pieces we’ve run this year.”

“That sounds suspiciously like something you say before assigning me another one.”

“It is absolutely something I say before assigning you another one.”

I laugh softly.

Claire rests one hand against the back of the chair opposite me. “You should be proud of this.”

I look at the byline again.

“I am.”

The answer comes easier than I expect.

Mark says, “Good. Because you earned it.”

They leave a few minutes later to deal with the production schedule, and the office settles back into its usual afternoon rhythm.

I stay at my desk for another moment as I close the proof and sit back in my chair.

My phone vibrates against the desk a few minutes later:

Julian: How did the final edit go?

I smile before I can stop myself and pick up the phone.

Sophie: It’s done. Final copy is officially with production.

His reply comes almost immediately.

Julian: Good. I’m looking forward to reading it.

I type back:

Sophie: You already know Blackwell doesn’t get approval rights.

A few seconds later, another message appears.

Julian: I know better than to ask.

I laugh softly and shake my head.

Then his next text comes through.

Julian: Dinner. 7:00. Don’t be late.

I glance at the time.

Sophie: I remember.

Julian has been unusually vague about dinner all week. All I know is that he made a reservation at an exclusive Beverly Hills restaurant owned by a chef he has known for years, and considering I just sent the Blackwell piece to production, I assume this is his idea of celebrating.

Knowing Julian, “dinner” probably means a table no one else can get, a bottle of wine that costs more than my first apartment, and a chef appearing halfway through the meal to ask whether everything is acceptable.