OLIVIA’S POV
The gala was winding down the way expensive events always did.
Gradually. Reluctantly. People finishing conversations they had started two hours ago, collecting coats and compliments in equal measure, the energy of the room thinning slowly like something being poured out.
Marcus had said his goodbyes thirty minutes earlier. An emergency call that pulled the warmth out of his face mid laugh.
He had squeezed my hand and told Jaden to take care of his wife and Jaden had said something dry in return and then Marcus was gone and the room felt slightly less easy without him in it.
Jaden touched my arm lightly.
“Ready to go?”
“More than ready,” I said honestly.
My feet had opinions about the heels again. I kept them to myself.
We moved through the thinning crowd saying the
