“Drake!” Nancy’s voice carried across the room the moment he stepped inside. Heads turned, eyes widened. His presence was commanding—not just because he had shown up, but because of the way he carried himself. The sharp cut of his suit, the effortless confidence in his stride—he stood out like a figure plucked from a different world.
Nancy met his gaze, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. “I thought you weren’t coming.”
Drake’s expression remained unreadable, but before he could respond, Nancy’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Well, lucky for everyone here, you did. They've been waiting for you.”
Without hesitation, she reached for his arm, her grip firm, possessive. “Let’s go,” she added, barely sparing a glance at the woman beside him.
Samantha felt her chest tighten. The dismissal
