tting to face Caterina. Her eyebrows lift in an unspoken question. "

nt shrug. "Well, I'm elbow-deep in

n, buttery delights. Yet, in the midst of our culinary storm, my gaze kept straying over to Sabrina. It was her first time attempting croissant

tifled amusement. "What'

all wrong," I chide, purs

at me in retort. Quick on my feet, I dodge the incomin

dough-dappled cheeks. The sight of her dough-covered

accusing finger at me.

me?" I flutter my eyela

th matching smirks and I r

e. But Caterina is quick, her hand snagging my arm

hen he tells me I have to attend an event tonight, and worse, he wants to intr

cepted you yet," I ret

to reject me. Be ready by seven." With that, he dismiss

to the room Caterina had shown me earlier. He can't just boss me

the door brings me back to the present. "Co

sent this for you," she says, placing the box o

avy blue dress with a single sleeve adorned with glittering beads. The dress is be

ven tries to persuade me to wear a pair of silver stilettos, but I stand my ground and slip into my comfortable w

dly scoff as Kole, one of his minions, awkwardly informs me that Jacob "has demanded" my presence.

attention. My eyes widen as they meet Jimmy's. A w

is sudden appearance was like finding a shark in a bird's nest.

ugh my confusion. He was looking back and fort

same pack," I managed to get out, pl

irk that had the temperature in the room dropping a few degr

olite civility. My gaze shifted rapidly between the two men, the tension thick enough t

arth did Jac

e swiveling to Jacob. "Why not acquaint me with the other gu

n elderly couple who enveloped Jacob in a warm hug. "Irene, these

et you both," I replied, m

Jacob announced, his voice revealing a

d for you," James beamed, while

cere smile lighting up his face. That

gomery's daughter, would you?" Penny quer

I replied, a trace of melan

Your mother and I were old chums," P

er?" The surprise was

force to be reckoned with," Penn

ou have your hands full," James joined in the laughter, slapping Jacob's

pack matters, a topic that I felt better left to those involved. "I'm g

o leave, he caught my hand in a gentle grip,