borhood, where "authenticity" was just another overpr

s judged your drink choice like it was a moral failing-Brooklyn was a masterclass in co

xposed beams, the kind of aesthetic that screamed "ef

place and more a nerve center for sellin

tors of modern romance. Love without complications. Marriages without mess. Our flag

en your Senate campaign? We had you covered. Think of us as

ence room, my Louboutins tapping out a staccato rhythm on the polished fl

Revenue: $

ential Spouse

lain

said, without an o

s. Harper, Martin, Zoya, Isabelle-their faces were proof that matchm

19 is back," she began. "Her Confidential Spouse keeps leaving the toilet seat up. She's threaten

arching an eyebrow. "Pre- or

smirked. "Definitely Mad Me

etrained in gentlemanly conduct, and remind him the next time

ving on. "Client 37-dome

went de

ked, sitting

y. "Jordan's team has her reloc

she's safe. Double the NDA enforcement. I don't wan

ouse psychologis

pouse is trending on TikTok. Someone calle

' part right. Monitor it, Harper. Make s

er, swept in like a Chanel ad come to life. Louboutins,

d, beelining toward me. "Elena-

gh my jaw tightened.

l replied, her grin sh

feared by interns?

he said, tos

st be a big ask-thi

tly, "he's just hoping f

ening," I

ystal said, with a shrug. "But he's hoping

y m

men like him sweat. You're immune to his ego. And, unlike me, you'r

ng. "What does h

control plan. Word is, he

us all," I

stery, chandeliers that could blind you, and a c

shrine to money and ego, where $200 ste

every bit the self-important protagonist of a mediocre political

ding my hand too long

t's skip the pleas

table: a presidential run and the

"And I'm not your campaign manager. I can find you a

, a smooth, familiar

it isn't E

inic Maxwell. His voice slid over me like sil

ractically glowing. "I d

lied, extending a ha

me, sharp and deliberat

keeping my voice professional

aware, grinned. "You

Once, a long time ago. Elen

plied smoothly, "wa

, dark and danger

ancing between us. "Well, so

his tone laced with somethi

into the crowd, I raised my g

ut your wife pr

han's campaign, Dominic's presence lin

thing resembling a workable plan. By the time I left, I'd already scheduled two meetings with his P

uble, and I stayed back just long enough to pay the bill-a

er fabric, and the sharp click of expensive heels against hard floors. I moved throug

the November chill hit me like a

ic Ma

navy coat turned up against the wind. Even in the muted gray light of the city,

ed on me, heavy with intent, and the

e cutting through the noise of the

ng my tone steady as I appr

ood simmer and my guard snap into pl

st a few feet away. The distance

with a casual grace that felt entir

you want,

city seemed to fade around us. "You've been busy," he murmured, his tone low and

t back, refusing to step back ev

d infuriating. "Let's just say... I k

was enough for his gaze to darken, a

e?" I asked, tilting my chin up. "Beca

dropping to a low murmur. "Who sa

xis and hurried footsteps. Mp My pulse thrummed in my ears, but I forced myse

Dominic," I said evenly, "fin

slow, wicked smile. "

driver stepped out. Dominic's eyes lingered on me for a moment longe

d, his voice sof

ed. "Ex

back but not breaking eye contact

lding my arms. "And what ma

ause, Elena," he said, stepping into the car, hi

summon a retort, leaving me standing on the curb, t

ing myself to focus, to

d to leave, my

ew me

omorrow. Eight. D

udgment, I felt the cor