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Heat floods through me. “There's a first time for everything.”

Sean slips an arm around my waist. It feels… easy. Like it belongs there.

“Indeed.” Maxwell studies us. “Though I must say, your timing is interesting with everything happening at Lemon.”

“Sean’s an old friend and he's helping with crisis management.”

Maxwell chuckles. “I suppose the best innovations happen under pressure.”

“Ah Maxwell. You hit the nail on the head. I guess we could say that’s why she’s been spending more time with this broad-shouldered hunk than saving her company,” a new voice interrupts.

I turn to find Ian Geller, one of Maxwell's friends, smirking at us. My spine stiffens but my smile stays fixed.

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, come on, Wren. You didn’t fight the plagiarism stuff this hard. But now—” he smirks, “Now you’re bringing the broad-shouldered hunk to galas.”

“Broad-shouldered hunk,” I repeat, deadpan.

He lifts his drink, like it’s a compliment. He turns to Sean, the corners of his lips twitching. “How's it feel dating the woman who's got the whole industry talking? I can't relate.”

Sean's expression doesn't change, but I feel him tense beside me.

“Funny you should mention business concerns, Ian. I was just reading about that privacy lawsuit your company's facing. Three hundred million in damages, was it? Oof.”

Ian's smug expression falters. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

“No? That's strange, because my sources are usually quite reliable.”

Ian's face flushes dark red.

“Perhaps you should worry less about my personal life and more about your legal team.”

“Excuse me,” he mutters, stalking away.

Sean's fingers tighten on my waist as he bends to whisper, “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

I bite back a smile.

Maxwell chuckles as he watches Ian retreat. “You haven't lost your edge, Wren.”

I smile. “Now, about what we were discussing the other day…”

Twenty minutes later, Maxwell promises to call my office next week, and I exhale as he walks away.

“That went well.” Sean's voice carries genuine admiration.

“We make a good team.”

I wink and his mouth curves into a smile.

“We do.”

An orchestra starts up, and couples drift toward the dance floor. Sean's hand finds the small of my back.

“Want to get some air?” he asks.

I nod. He guides me toward the balcony doors, his touch never leaving my back.