"I asked Mrs. Billy." He grinned. "Figured if I'm going to recruit you for charity work, bribery via caffeine is ethical."
Despite everything, I almost smiled. "Recruit me?"
"The annual Blackwood Foundation gala is in six weeks. I need someone with actual empathy to help plan it, because Julian's idea of charity is writing checks and leaving." Nate gestured toward the door. "Have breakfast with me? I promise this is a legitimate job offer, not weird billionaire-friend nepotism."
I glanced toward the elevator. Julian had left for the office at dawn without a word. He'd barely spoken to me since the business dinner with Cassie.
"Okay," I said.
Nate's smile widened. "Excellent. I know a place with the best pancakes in Manhattan."
The restaurant was small, warm, and completely unpretenti
