I made it back to the party on legs that didn't feel entirely my own, Bruce's threat still ringing in my ears, and forced myself into a smile I no longer believed in even a little, because Charlotte was watching me from across the lawn, and whatever else was true, this was still supposed to be her day.
"Everything okay?" Diane asked quietly, appearing at my side the moment I rejoined the crowd, her lawyer's instincts clearly picking up on something in my face I hadn't managed to fully smooth over.
"I'll tell you later," I murmured. "Not here."
I found Charlotte by the cake table, watching a magician pull a string of colorful scarves from his sleeve with wide, delighted eyes, and knelt down beside her, needing the anchor of her small, solid presence more than I wanted to admit.
"Having
