The dinner wrapped up with that polite kind of laughter people pull out when their souls are running on fumes. Plates cleared, last drops of wine swirling, everyone pretending they’d definitely follow up even though half of them wouldn’t remember names by morning. Evelyn hugged Brianna with warm hands and real affection. Richard shook Jordan’s hand like he’d just discovered fire.
“You two should come to Oakville sometime,” Evelyn said, bright as a porch light at dusk. “We host small dinners. Just friends.”
Brianna smiled, light and breezy. “I’d like that.”
She felt Jordan’s eyes on her, quiet and measuring, like he was mentally underlining every sentence she offered. He didn’t step in, didn’t claim her, only rested his hand at the small of her back. It looked like protection. It felt li
