MadisonI shrank back slightly, hoping she wouldn't notice me, but my attention was drawn to Alexander. He stood with Katherine, his hand not quite touching the small of her back as Caroline approached them. Even from this distance, I could see Caroline's practiced smile as she air-kissed Alexander's cheek, then turned to Katherine with exaggerated warmth. "Probably plotting world domination together," I muttered under my breath, watching as the three of them fell into conversation. Caroline laughed at something Katherine said, touching her arm in a gesture of familiarity that spoke of a long-standing relationship. Of course, they knew each other. They probably summered together in the Hamptons as children, attended the same elite schools, shared the same rarefied air their entire lives. I took another deep breath, fighting the urge to flee. I was Madison Harper, project manager of Knight Industries' Manhattan development. I had every right to be here. "Madison!" Caroline's voice
MadisonMy phone vibrated in my clutch. Jackson's name flashed on the screen. "It's Jackson," I told Hazel, my heart skipping nervously as I answered. "Hey, where are you?" "Madison, they won't let me in! I've tried explaining I'm your friend, but the security guy keeps insisting my name isn't on some list." "What? That's ridiculous." I glanced toward the entrance. "You're at The Summit, right? Main entrance?" "Yeah, been standing here arguing with Mr. Muscles for ten minutes. He's enjoying this power trip way too much." I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Give me a second, I'll sort this out." "Maybe Alexander doesn't want your date crashing his party," Hazel whispered, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. I rolled my eyes. "He's not my date. And Alexander doesn't even know I invited him." "Sure, keep telling yourself that." Hazel drained her champagne and set the empty glass on a passing server's tray. "Stay here, I'll go rescue your not-date." "Thanks, Hazel. I owe you." "Ye
MadisonWe circulated through the room, stopping occasionally to chat with colleagues I knew. Everyone seemed surprised by my appearance, their double-takes both flattering and slightly embarrassing. "Have you seen the birthday boy?" asked Tim from Accounting, his eyes lingering a bit too long on my neckline. "Not yet," I replied, subtly adjusting my posture to block his view. "Is he here?" "Haven't seen him," Tim shrugged. "Rumor has it he's making a grand entrance later." After extracting ourselves from Tim's increasingly obvious ogling, Hazel and I found a relatively quiet spot near a massive ice sculpture of the Knight Industries logo. "No sign of Alexander," Hazel observed, finishing her champagne. "Think he's avoiding his own party?" "Maybe he's getting ready," I suggested, checking the time on my phone. It was nearly nine. "Or dealing with some last-minute crisis." "Or making out with Katherine in a supply closet," Hazel muttered. I shot her a withering look. "Not helpf
MadisonI stood before my mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back. The midnight blue dress hugged every curve, its silky fabric catching the light as I turned. The plunging neckline revealed just enough cleavage to be daring without crossing into inappropriate territory, while the slit offered a tantalizing glimpse of leg with each step. "Wow," I whispered, smoothing my hands over the fabric. My hair fell in loose waves around my shoulders. The smoky eye makeup and berry-tinted lips completed the transformation. I slipped on the strappy silver heels I'd splurged on during my shopping trip with Hazel, immediately adding three inches to my height. The total effect was... powerful. Different. Not Madison the personal assistant or Madison the project manager. Just Madison. My phone buzzed on the dresser. A text from Hazel: "Car's here. I'm downstairs. Move your ass!" I smiled, grabbing my silver clutch and taking one final look in the mirror. "You can do this," I told my re
MadisonThe driver opened the door, and Alexander stepped out first, then extended his hand to help me. I hesitated before taking it, trying to ignore the warmth that spread up my arm at his touch. Outside, the air smelled of river water and damp earth. A salt-and-pepper-haired man in a suit approached from a parked SUV, accompanied by a younger woman clutching a portfolio. "Mr. Knight," the man called, extending his hand. "Sam Donovan. We spoke on the phone." "Mr. Donovan." Alexander shook his hand firmly. "This is Madison Harper, my project manager." "Ms. Harper." Donovan shook my hand. "This is Jessica Wells, my associate." Jessica nodded, her eyes darting between Alexander and me with barely concealed curiosity. "Shall we begin the tour?" Donovan gestured toward the complex. "We can start with the main building." As we walked, Donovan launched into a detailed history of the property. It had been a textile factory in the early 1900s, then converted to various industrial uses
MadisonMy phone buzzed with a text. Reflexively, my heart jumped. Alexander? But it was just Jackson. Jackson: Thanks again for dinner. Next time, my treat for real. I smiled and typed back. Me: Deal. And thanks for being understanding about my work schedule. Jackson: What are friends for? Besides, I'm just as bad. We can be workaholics together. The idea was oddly comforting. Maybe that was what I needed. Someone who understood my dedication to work without judging it. Someone who wasn't paying my mother's medical bills or making my heart race with a single glance. Me: Goodnight, Jackson Jackson: Goodnight, Madison. Don't stay up all night with spreadsheets. I laughed out loud, earning a curious glance from the cab driver in the rearview mirror. The apartment was quiet; Mom must have already gone to bed. I kicked off my shoes by the door and padded to the kitchen for a glass of water. A note on the counter caught my attention: Had a wonderful dinner with Mrs. Miller. Don'