Chapter One — James.
I try not to lean too hard on the double doors while still trying to catch a word or two from the other side of it, senses alert at my father's monotonous tone. I've been standing here for close to an hour with nothing to show for. Not a single meaningful word and I'm not sure Dad's even speaking English. The man who'd arrived shortly after dinner was in there with them, which was odd because Dad never liked his business colleagues visit or bring their work over for him to solve. When I locked eyes with the man, two things happened. First, my stomach clenched and my breath got caught in my throat. Secondly, the heat rising up my neck made it's way to my cheeks and transformed into an unexpected smile.
He destabilized my cool, something no girl or boy has ever done be
