MasukHenry and Andrea stepped back into the main flow of the party, the string lights overhead casting a warm golden glow over the thinning crowd. The jazz band had slowed to a sultry, late-night tempo, and the rooftop felt less like a battlefield and more like the elegant event it was meant to be. His hand stayed firmly at the small of her back, steady and warm, the quiet, intimate moment they had shared by the railing still humming between them like a private secret no one else could touch. Andrea’s chest felt lighter after opening up about her mother, but the night still carried its weight.Eleanor’s sharp, judging stare from across the room, the curious eyes of every guest who had watched the CEO stay glued to her side all evening, the constant, nagging sense that she was being measured and found wanting.They had barely taken three steps before Rachel and Emily appeared from the crowd like they had been waiting for the perfect opening. Both women were smiling wide, each carrying a fr
The jazz band switched to a slower, softer melody, and the rooftop felt a little less like a battlefield. Marcus had wandered off with Henry for ten minutes to fix the lighting cue, leaving Andrea and Mindy alone at the high-top table again. Mindy was still grinning, scrolling through her phone like she was already saving Marcus’s contact under something ridiculous.Before Andrea could tease her, Henry reappeared, his hand sliding back to the small of her back like it belonged there. “Come with me for a second,” he murmured, voice low enough that only she heard. “There’s a quieter spot near the railing. I need to talk to you.”Andrea nodded, heart picking up speed. She glanced at Mindy. “We’ll be right back.”Mindy waved her off with a dramatic flourish. “Take your time, girl. I’m fine right here.” The second Henry and Andrea stepped away, Marcus returned to the bar area, sliding onto the stool beside her like he’d never left.“Miss me already?” he teased, signaling the bartender for
Henry’s hand was still warm on Andrea’s lower back when he returned from the quiet corner where he’d pulled his mother aside. The tension in his shoulders had eased a fraction, but his jaw was still tight. Eleanor had walked away with that same polished smile, yet the air around them felt thinner now, like the whole rooftop was holding its breath.Andrea tried to focus on the little plate of shrimp cocktails Mindy had thrust into her hands. “Eat something before you pass out from all that staring,” Mindy had ordered. “The crab puffs are actually decent. Rich people know how to cater.”Andrea poked at a canapé, her appetite gone. “Did she… say anything else after I walked away?”Henry leaned in, voice low and steady. “She’ll behave. For tonight, at least.” His thumb brushed a slow circle against her spine, the touch small but grounding. “You okay?”Before Andrea could answer, a deep, easy laugh cut through the jazz music behind them.“Moore! Finally, I was starting to think you’d fired
Chapter 44 – The Mother’s GazeMindy burst onto the rooftop like a gust of fresh air in a room heavy with perfume and polite laughter. Andrea spotted her instantly in a bright orange dress, heels clicking fast against the stone floor, hair a little windblown from the rush. The second their eyes met, Andrea felt her shoulders drop, tension easing just enough for her to breathe.Mindy made a beeline straight for her, arms already open. “There’s my girl!”They collided in a tight hug right in the middle of the crowd. Mindy squeezed hard, then pulled back just enough to grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Damn, girl. You look like a whole snack in that dress. I’m sure Henry’s wallet is crying happy tears right now.”Andrea laughed, the sound coming out real this time, not forced. “You’re very late. I was dying over here.”“Traffic was a nightmare,” Mindy said, rolling her eyes dramatically. “But I’m here now, ready to be your emotional support bestie and professional chaos agent.” Sh
The Summer Mixer hummed around them like a living thing-soft jazz drifting from the quartet, crystal glasses clinking, laughter rising and falling under strings of warm lights. The rooftop felt magical, the city skyline glittering beyond, but Andrea’s stomach was a tight knot.She stood beside Henry, smiling politely at the couple he was speaking with, nodding at their chatter about investments and travel. But her mind was spinning. Every few seconds her eyes flicked toward his mother across the room. The woman’s gaze kept landing on her-cool, assessing, lips pressed into a thin line that never quite became a real smile.She already hates me.Andrea’s fingers tightened around her clutch. The emerald dress suddenly felt too bright, too noticeable. She leaned toward Henry, her voice barely audible over the music. “I’m going to call Mindy real quick. She said she’d be here by now.”Henry nodded, brushing his thumb lightly over her lower back. “Take your time. I’ll be right here.”She slip
Andrea stared at Henry, the question still ringing in the quiet of the penthouse.“Will you be my date for the Summer Mixer tomorrow?"Her heart slammed against her ribs so hard it felt like it might crack. The words wouldn’t come. Her mouth opened, closed, opened again, but nothing came out.Tomorrow.His parents would be there.The entire company would see them together.Everyone would know.What if they don’t like me?What if I embarrass him?What if this is moving too fast and I wake up one day feeling small again?The old fears crashed over her like cold water–Caleb’s voice in her head calling her boring, uptight and not enough. The way she had promised herself she would never let anyone make her feel that way again. And now here she was, in Henry’s arms after the most perfect night of her life, and everything suddenly felt terrifyingly real.Henry waited, patient as always, thumbs still stroking gentle circles over her knuckles. His eyes were soft, no pressure, just quiet hope.







