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I lean into her. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" I linger longer than I need to, feeling the heat of her skin against my cheek. "Lead me, she who wears the pants in our relationship."

She laughs, her eyes meeting mine. Putting an arm out for me, she walks us into the opulent grandeur of The Lux like she owns the place. Once inside, she lets out a long breath. "Is this always how you party? This place is incredible."

We head left toward the ballroom. "Have you never been here?"

"I came once, with Mel—that year before COVID. My mom didn't want to go again, and she thought I'd enjoy the experience. It was the fundraiser for the orthopedic unit. Mel's an orthopedic surgeon. She's also a—"

I groan softly. "Can we gooneevening without you mentioning your ex?" I clamp my mouth shut.

Fuck.

"I'm sorry. Please—God, please forget I said that."

Josie gives me a wide smile. "Done." She squeezes my hand on her arm reassuringly. "Now, introduce me to everyone you know. They'll be talking about us for the rest of the year."

So I do. I introduce her to the team heading up the new research lab, the journalists who are here to write a piece about our efforts, and many of the investors who've supported the hospital for years. A handful of our most renowned surgeons hover near the open bar.

"Dr. Mueller." A tall man approaches us. "I didn't expect to see you here tonight."

"Doctor." Josie smiles warmly. "I'm here with Florence." She squeezes my hand where it rests in the crook of her arm.

"Of course. I'd heard the rumors." His eyes drift appreciatively over her tuxedo. "They didn't do you justice."

My arm tightens imperceptibly around Josie's, and I step closer to her. "James. I don't believe we've had the pleasureyet this evening." My voice carries a subtle edge of authority over him. "Dr. Harrison is one of our leading cardiovascular surgeons," I tell Josie.

I see a glint of amusement in her eyes. She already knows him. "James and I have collaborated on research before." She puts a hand over mine, before turning back to Harrison. "Florence mentioned you're working with minimally invasive valve replacements. Fascinating stuff."I did?

After he leaves, she turns to me. "You're jealous." She seems more amused by that than bothered.

I don't respond, instead making our way through the crowd, and introducing her to more board members and donors. She seems more interested in watching me in my element rather than meeting everyone, but she's gracious and gives them each a moment of her attention.

"I don't think I've ever seen Florence so relaxed at one of these things," an older woman confides in Josie as I'm deep in conversation with a potential donor. "Usually she's all business, but tonight she's actually smiling."

"Is she?" Josie glances at me, catching me watching her, even as I nod along with what the donor is saying. The corner of her mouth curls up when our eyes meet.

"Oh, yes," the older woman continues. "Quite transformed. You must be good for her."

I bid the donor a good night, and quickly settle back at Josie's side, my hand settling naturally on the small of her back. "I see you've met Margaret. She's been on our board longer than I've been alive, I think."

"Not quite," Margaret laughs, "though sometimes it feels that way. I was just telling your lovely fiancée how different you seem tonight."

I feel my cheeks flush. "Different how?"

"Happy, dear." She pats my arm. "Simply happy."

Josie smiles, and my arm tightens around her back as we meander toward our table.

I'm pleased to see Aimee here representing Chief Development, which took the lead organizing the event. With Woodhouse gone on such short notice, she rightly deserves his seat at the table.

It thrills me to bits to see Gwen as her plus-one. I know they're friends outside of work, but I don't think I've ever seen Gwen in anything other than office attire. I give her an air kiss before introducing her to Josie. "Josie, this is my Executive Assistant, Gwen Fernandez. Gwen, my fiancée, Dr. Josephine Mueller. Josie."

"Doctor." She grins widely. "You've been a myth for so long. Nice to see that you're real."

"Gwen." I shoot her a warning glance.

Josie squeezes my arm. "Don't get mad at her, Florence. She's right. We need our privacy, but not at the expense of the hospital's reputation." She motions to my seat.

"That debacle never should have happened." I sit down, and she pushes my chair in.