or dark jeans and a cropped leather jacket that Sam had insisted made her "artistically edgy." She wasn't here to work on the mural toni

lping her get ready. "Don't give anyon

memory. Belong? In t

truction zone into a dazzling playground for the wealthy. Chandeliers cast shimmering light across po

d with his usual commanding presence, his tailored

said, his voice

ed, forcing a smile. "I figu

in the faintest hint of amu

a tray of champagne. She grabbed a glass and took

she admitted, gesturing towar

, his gaze sweeping over her.

eyebrow. "Is th

n obser

ed. "I'll

ttered throughout the venue. Each piece was a bold statement-abstract sculptures

said as Julian joined her by a strikin

cation," he replied. "It

the light played off the sculpture's

and chaos o

seemed to have his life meticulously under cont

ask more, a voice

lia

hair and a designer dress that probably cost mor

neutral but edged with somet

ue eyes flicked to L

Julian said. "She's worki

ugh she felt distinctly l

uite reaching her eyes. "Julian usually k

roll her eyes. "It's a m

ed, but Lena's expre

to Julian, "we'll catch up lat

exi leaned toward Jul

e that," he sa

ettled. She couldn't shake the sense that the

breather. The cool night air was a welcome relief from the heat and nois

ded a moment," Julian sa

that ob

meone payin

o you always pay attent

n they in

h she wasn't sure if it was the cold or somet

," she said abruptly,

nyone she can't cont

d y

her becaus

, the slight furrow of his brow. There was a story

eason you're

arp and assessing. For a moment,

f my life I'd rather leav

t, here

laugh. "The past has a way

doubted their pasts we

************

ght. She threw herself into her work, the rhythmic motion of her brush soothing her frayed

art of my life I'd r

em? And why did it seem like

something: Julian Saint Clair wasn't just a client or

rant, swirling dance of colors that seemed to pulse with energy. She

re, kudos to you",

thoughts. She opened it to find Julian s

borhood," he said b

he neighborhood? Your offi

gaze immediately went to the mural

e yourself," h

rying to hide the blus

the air between them he

roke the quiet. "

Lexi said quickly. "Your

you now," he sai

er heart pounding.

sn't quite a smile but wasn't entirely seriou

t," she said, c

eave, he paused a

ea

nk y

r w

at not everything ha