Author POV
The meeting began like any other.
A client presentation. Final approvals for the Watanabe project. Around the conference table sat architects, assistants, and the developer himself—Richard Chen, a wealthy man in his mid-fifties with a polished smile and the sort of handshake that lingered a second too long.
When he shook Lara-Jean’s hand, she noticed it immediately.
And ignored it.
Professionalism.
Then Peter walked into the room.
The shift was instant. Richard Chen straightened in his chair, his confident ease replaced with something more careful—almost deferential. The presentation wrapped quickly after that. Handshakes followed as everyone prepared to leave.
When Chen reached Lara-Jean again, his hand closed around hers and held.
“Lara-Jean. Such a pleasure. We shou
