But tonight, nothing felt only mine. Angel moved closer during the speech—ads whispered into Conley’s ear, her hand touching his arm in a way that said history and possibility at once. He leaned toward her and the conversation flowed with ease; I watched them as if I were seeing the two parts of a coin clink at the base of a fountain. I ached and strategized at the same time.
Halfway through the evening, I was summoned to the side hallway where a private sponsor awaited. The hallway was a pale corridor of neutral art and a silent security guard. When I reached the room, I found Conley already there, one shoulder braced against the wall. He looked dangerous and distracted, the kind of combination that made my mouth go dry.
“Uriah,” he said. “Stay with me after this runs through. I need yo
