every step he took. Something about him lingered-a combination of his charm, his sharp wit, and the unex

anie's voice broke

eccably dressed in a sleek black go

ersation," Emily said, tr

Sterling. As in Sterling Enterprises. As in t

ked. "That

with a mix of amusement and encouragement. "Do you have any idea ho

to play it off. "He w

ite. He does calculated, and he clearly c

n her cheeks. "Well, he can keep calculating. I'm not interes

, you know that? A man like him could write a c

't need his charity, and I'm not about to become some p

t's just focus on why we're here, okay? There are other poten

eventually relented. "Fine. But don't be s

talking to another man now-a stiff-looking older gentleman in a tuxedo-and Lucas fel

mething,

than back at his side, grinning l

about?" Lucas asked,

ard her with his glass. "You haven't taken

d. "Don't be

errible liar, my friend. It'

ed after a moment, surprising e

Nathan asked, g

vaguely toward the room full of glittering socialites a

eyebrow. "And t

d. "Maybe. I don't know. She's refre

Unsettling? I thi

im a glare.

er. "You've spent years perfecting the art of keeping people at a

his jaw tightened. He hate

ced smiles for Emily. She managed to exchange contact information wit

air, she was exhausted-mentally and emotionally. The city stretche

ng so

Lucas leaning casually against the building's grand entr

e," she s

"I thought you'd still be

h. "Charming isn't ex

," he said, his ton

feeling exposed under his gaze.

us if you always leave these events loo

o a faint smile. "May

"Because you're not like the others. And I can't

er curiosity piqued. "Wh

make me question things I've never quest

ood there, the night air t

trying to figure me o

the look in his eyes said he

. But as she walked away, she couldn't shake the feeling