Emil Marcus whistles as the three of us watch Dani’s heart- shaped ass sway with every st ep. “Where the hell did you find her?” “She found me,” I answer, remembering the thousand emotions that flitted through Dani’s brown eyes when she first saw me. How, when I got closer, I saw that de ep brown was ringed with gold in her irises. Unique, unforgettable eyes. Not to mention that body. With an inhuman effort, I banish the thought and scan the assembled crowd, looking for a man I’ve only met in video conferences. I made sure he was invited to the Summer Ball, and I made sure he knew the invitation came from me. It’s one of many st eps in wooing this potentially game-changing partner. Richard Gleeson is a rising star in eco-technologies, the developer of one of the most energy efficient engines to date, if all the hype is to be believed. As the director and CEO of Berg Motors, that interests me. A lot. I lean toward Leif and Marcus. “Have you seen Gleeson?” Leif, the big blond man whose appearance, even without a Scandinavian name, would make anyone think of Vikings, grunts. “Not yet. He acc epted the invitation?” “Who wouldn’t?” Marcus answers. My dark-haired friend has been by my side since we met in pr ep school two and a half decades ago. With uptilted eyes reminiscent of Asian ancestry, golden-brown skin, and the body of a swimmer, Marcus has always been, out of the three of us, the one women are drawn to. A female friend once told me it was because he’s “stupidly sexy while still being approachable.” When I asked her what made me unapproachable, she just laughed and patted my cheek. And sexy, approachable Marcus was staring at my date’s chest with unhidden hunger. Something itches at the base of my skull, a need to find Dani and put my arm around her while my friends are around. Ignoring the sensation, I nod. “Indeed.” Who would miss the fabled Summer Ball in Manhattan, where all the rich and powerful come to rub shoulders with each other? The event where business deals and marriages are born and broken. Being invited to this event is like getting a golden ticket to Wonka’s factory. Or so they tell me. I’ve never enjoyed the damn thing. As soon as I meet Richard Gleeson in person and make sure he’s sufficiently impressed by the glitz and glamour, I’m out of here. Reaching into my tux jacket, I pull out my phone. My mother has answered my text message from earlier with a photo of Francis and Talia in the bathtub. My heart eases— the kids are okay. “Who’s watching the rugrats?” Marcus asks, nodding to the picture on my screen. “My mother.” “And how long will she hold that over your head?” Leif grins, sipping his champagne. His eyes drift to where Danika disappeared, and a flash of possessive annoyance blazes through me. I clamp down the feeling, gritting my teeth. “Probably long enough for me to regret asking her to help.”
Marcus snorts. “Still no luck on the nanny front?” “Mrs. Delmar assured me the next woman she’s sending is one of the best the agency has to offer. Somehow I’m finding it hard to believe.” “She runs the best agency in the state,” Leif says with a shrug, his eyes finally returning to mine. A knot of tension unwinds at the thought of his gaze no longer looking for Dani. “I’d be a dead man without my nanny.” “And you’re lucky she looks like Mrs. Doubtfire, otherwise you’d be dealing with H. R.” Marcus snorts, shaking his head. Leif just grins. “I haven’t had any luck with the candidates Linda’s sent so far.” I swipe a flute of champagne from a passing waiter’s tray. “I’ve gone through nearly three dozen and haven’t been impressed.” Marcus and Leif exchange a glance. Marcus, the more diplomatic of my friends, clears his throat. “Do you think that might be more a problem with your expectations, rather than a problem with the candidates?” I stiffen. “They’re my children. I’m entitled to want the best for them.” Marcus throws up his palms. “Of course. It’s just...” “You’ve been fucking overbearing since Callie died,” Leif provides, tactful as always. He combs his fingers through his pale hair, holding my gaze with those unnerving ice- blue eyes. Marcus sighs, dropping his shoulders as he glances at Leif. “I thought we agreed I’d do the talking.” Steel pours into my veins as every part of my body grows still. “You guys planned this? What is this, some kind of intervention?” My words are tight, spoken through clenched teeth. If I let go of the leash I have on myself even a little, I’ll erupt. These men are supposed to be my friends. Of all the people in the world, Leif should know what it’s like to be a single father. And Marcus has known me since I was a kid. They should have my back. They know how much I have on my plate between trying to run my father’s company, raising two kids on my own, and presenting a polished, put- together image to the world. But they think I’ve been overbearing? Because I won’t let some underqualified nobody raise my children? I guess it’s only fair that they would think the worst. Everyone always thought Callie was the angel. She was the one who softened me. Who fixed me. Then she died, and I was left to pick up the pieces of her secrets one by one, all while pretending she was some kind of saint. “Look, Emil, we’re not saying you’re being unreasonable,” Marcus says softly, like he’s trying to soothe a wild animal. “We’re just trying to look out for you.” “I don’t need you to look out for me,” I bite out. Leif shrugs. “Fine. Forget we said anything. Let’s just enjoy tonight, yeah?” He arches his brows at me—a peace offering.
I shrug. “I’ll be gone after the main course, anyway.” Something glimmers in Leif’s eyes. “No interest in dessert?” His grin turns feral. “If you’re not interested in that sweet vision in a glittering dress, or if you want to go home to the kids, I’m more than willing to entertain Danika for the evening.” “Fuck off, Leif. And stay the fuck away from my date.” A low growl rides out with my words, startling both my friends. They exchange another loaded glance, which only heightens my annoyance. Why do I even care if Leif’s interested in Danika? I shouldn’t. I don’t even know her. I knew I shouldn’t have come here tonight. I didn’t want to leave the kids alone. I hate being away from them. Hate leaving them under someone else’s care. And I hate this type of fake, pretentious event. But maybe most startling is the fact that I hate the idea of Leif “entertaining” Danika for the evening. It wouldn’t take much—one of those charming smiles he d eploys when he wants to get in a woman’s panties—and I’m sure Danika would melt for him. The thought of it rankles me. The thought of her anywhere near Leif sets my teeth on edge. It wouldn’t be the first time I shoved a date into his arms. He’s always more than happy to play the charming good guy when I get sick of events like these. But tonight... tonight, I don’t want that. I shoulder my way through the crowd, following the path Danika took. It doesn’t make sense. I don’t know her. She’s not even supposed to be here. Still... there’s a tug in the d epths of my gut. Maybe it’s just the sight of her in that dress, or the fact that she actually ate the food offered instead of pretending she subsists on vodka and ice cubes like most of the other women in the room. A hand lands on my shoulder, and I turn to see Marcus. He pushes a strand of wavy dark hair off his forehead. “We didn’t mean anything bad, Emil. You’re a good father. We just want you to live your own life, too.” “I’ll live my own life when my kids are safe and grown.” My friend gives me a sad smile and squeezes my shoulder with his broad hand. “For the record, I think you should enjoy your evening. Danika seems like a nice girl. Might be a good opportunity to let loose tonight, don’t you think?” I nod, shrugging him off, and Marcus drops his hand. I grunt something about finding a bathroom and walk away from my friend. Scanning the crowd, I can pretend I’m looking for Richard Gleeson, but the truth is, I’m looking for Danika. I find myself leaning against a wall near the bathrooms, waiting for her to emerge. Marcus wants me to let loose. I lean my head against the cool marble wall and blow out a breath. I haven’t let loose in years. I was married to Callie for seven years. We had two kids. Then she died. Somewhere in between, I inherited a company and became the head of my family. I’m supposed to build on my father’s legacy while being there for my kids. What does “letting loose” even mean? Then Danika walks out of the bathroom, a glittering jewel in her own right. My breath catches in my throat, and an unfamiliar tightness reaches into the pit of my gut. I want her in all the ways a man wants a woman. Like I haven’t wanted anyone in years. The feel of her skin still tingles along my fingertips, and I watch her brush her thick hair off her shoulder, falling in a lush curtain halfway down her back. The woman is pure sensuality. She’s temptation
wrapped in a bejeweled dress. I don’t know where she came from, but maybe it’s some kind of sign. Synchronicity. Serendipity. Fate. My life has been one bombshell after another—but what if Marcus was right? What if tonight, I could just enjoy myself?