The café was too bright for the kind of conversation James wanted to have. Sunlight spilled across the polished table between them, gleaming off the spoon that stirred her untouched coffee. Julia’s hands stayed wrapped around the cup, her knuckles pale from the pressure.
Across from her, James leaned back, immaculate as ever. His voice was soft—measured like a scalpel. “You’ve done well for yourself,” he said, eyes flicking to her worn blazer. “But we both know ‘well’ isn’t the same as safe.”
Julia’s throat tightened. “I’m fine where I am.”
He smiled—slow, knowing. “Are you? The company’s expanding. There’s a new department opening downtown—public relations. You’d be perfect for it.” He paused just long enough to let the implication bloom. “All it takes is one small conversation with Br
