's

ight and confining, and my palms were slippery with perspiration. Sitting next to me, poised in his fitted suit, was Griffin

stillness by saying

unding harsher than I meant to. "This i

vy, you don't need to win over everyone. Simply follow the f

elieving tone. "Griffin, rubbing elbows with millionai

nly, his assurance both frust

he hazy city lights. For the next six months, thi

ve orchestra blended with the hum of conversation, and the throng was bathed in a warm glow from the crystal cha

s lips hardly m

breathing," even though

occasionally to greet me. Every introduction was a jumble of faces and names

in, my

idence in every step walked toward us, and I felt sick to my stomach. Her outfit fit h

d icy tone, Griff

"It's been too long." Her calculating, pie

d his arm around mine and whispered, "My

on of bricks. She was, of course, his former fiancée. She didn't appear o

said, "Charmed." Her ton

ke her hand. Her nails dug a little i

say, Griffin, you've certainly... downgraded," with a

hot, but Griffin interve

a low, menacing voice. "Ivy is fa

minute, she remarked in a cold voice, "Touché." "Wel

led away. I released a breath I ha

out?" I turned to

emarked, "Marissa has a knack

y conscious of the inquisitive looks

pted, "She's always been like this

it it's easier

sea of unknown faces, Griffin remained by my side, his presence a steady anchor

rapher arrived with his camera fl

picture for the headline tomorrow? Hi

ing his arm around my waist.

the camera snapped. With my heart racing, I turned

g to be everywhe

face inscrutable. "T

the truth of our arrange

oon as we entered the room, I sank down on the couch and kicked off my heels. Griffin undid

he said, "You di

f you mean "didn't completely humi

grinned. "You were better th

time? I rambled on, tryin

us?" h

I was going to say,

ave. Marissa is a person who dislikes losing.

I scowled. "What mad

re my wife, that's why. No one treats you disrespect

I gasped. He rose before I could answer, his i

"Get some rest." "Tomorrow

k and stared at the ceiling. This was intended to be a straightforward, transactional agreement

how long I could avoid ge