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“Too much. And most of it sucked,” I reply curtly. I like Sheila, but this isn’t the time or the place to unpack my forest heartbreak. Besides it’s not like I can tell her about the shapeshifter drama. Even if that wasn’t a secret to be kept, I’m still trying to understand it myself. She looks away towards the glass doors, and her expression tightens.

“I think our day just got worse.”

I follow her line of sight—and groan. Of all the smug, entitled bastards in Manhattan, of course it had to be Steve Wilkins.

Steve struts into the bank like he owns the air we breathe. Technically, he probably could. Billion-dollar oil tycoon. Private jets, custom suits, and a jawline sculpted by money. He oozes power—and knows it. All of which results in an arrogance that outsizes even his net worth. He’s flanked, as usual, by two bodyguards who glare as if we’re about to stage a coup behind the teller line.

“Good day, ladies,” Steve says, lips curling into a lazy, yet somehow still patronizing smile. “It’s a shame you have to work. It’s beautiful outside.”

He keeps his sunglasses on, which tells me everything I need to know. He’s not here for business. He’s here to gloat it over us lowly tellers.

“How may I help you, sir?” Sheila asks, ever the professional.

“Oh, I’m sorry, honey,” Steve says, shaking his head like she’s a child who spilled juice on the rug. “I’m not here for you. I came to see her.”

Perfect. Exactly what I don’t need.

“What can I do for you?” I ask, voice flat as one of his bodyguards slips a crisp, ivory envelope from his inner pocket into Steve’s hand.

“I’m throwing a party,” he announces, like he’s gifting the Ten Commandments to Moses. “It’s at my mansion upstate, tomorrow night. I know it’s short notice, but I’ve been trying to reach your doctor friend for days. I even went by theMetropolitan—turns out she doesn’t work there anymore. They wouldn’t give me her address.”

He says the last with a look of affront as if he can’t believe that anyone would deny him anything.

“North Haven?” I read off the embossed cardstock. “Mr. Wilkins?—”

“Steve,” he interrupts smoothly.

“Right. Steve.” I suppress the urge to roll my eyes. “North Haven’s a bit far, and I have work on Wednesday. I won’t be able to make it.”

“Yes, you will,” he counters, smiling like it’s a foregone conclusion. “I’ll send a limo.” I open my mouth to protest, but he holds up his hand cutting me off. “No, don’t worry. Your manager and I go way back. I’ll have a chat with him, you’ll have the day off.”

I bite my tongue, debating. I want to say no, should say no. Spending time with this smug ass is not the way I want to waste an evening.

“You are still in touch with the doctor?”

“I am.”

“Perfect,” he says, voice purring with satisfaction. “I’ll expect both of you.”

He turns with a flourish, like a magician vanishing into a cloud of entitlement. As soon as he’s out of earshot, Sheila leans over the counter, her eyes wide.

“Holy shit, it’s engraved,” she exclaims, staring at the invitation. “Who engraves paper?”

“Yeah,” I say, though my mind is far away.

An idea sparks, electric and unexpected. I never liked Steve. It’s not his face—he’s got the build, the smile, the suit. It’s everything else. The smugness. The assumption that the world is his plaything. He wears his privilege like cologne—thick and cloying, but maybe… just maybe, this invitation could be useful.

Steve Wilkins wants me to join him at a party. At his mansion, which happens to be up north, close to…

My mind races. He isn’t invited, but if I go, he’ll follow. I feel it in my bones. I don’t think he’ll let me out of his sight. Even if he wants to pretend I’m a danger to him. Even if he swears we can never be.

And if he won’t do it on his own… Monica joining me will push it, because that will involve Raul. Raul will tip the scales.

They’ll come. He’ll see me there. Get jealous. And then Ray will give me the one thing I want from him. A chance.

It’s reckless. Maybe even pathetic. But it’s something. And right now, I’ll take anything that feels like hope. How can this be anything but the universe telling me to go for it? I tap the engraved card then go to call Monica.

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