Ethan studied her for a moment but seemed to accept her words. He smiled warmly, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. “Well, I’m glad we’re here together tonight. Just you and me.”
Lexi nodded, but her mind was elsewhere, already consumed with the fallout from the picture. She knew Emma had sent it to Julian to provoke him, and likely to make her feel small. Lexi’s fingers tightened around the stem of her wine glass as the anger bubbled inside her.
Back at Julian’s mansion, the atmosphere was charged. Julian stood in his office, the harsh light of his desk lamp casting long shadows across the room. He had just finished a call with a business partner, his face set in that impassive expression he wore when he was focused. His phone buzzed on the desk, interrupting the stillness.
