LOGINRowan drove toward Vale Group completely unaware that he was making one of the biggest mistakes of his life. Not because he wanted to see Shannon.That part was understandable.The mistake sat right beside him. Evelyn.The very woman responsible for most of the destruction in his marriage was now somehow helping him fix it.The irony would've been funny if it wasn't so tragic.Evelyn sat comfortably in the passenger seat while occasionally glancing toward him.Rowan hadn't slept much. The dark circles beneath his eyes remained obvious. His hands tightened around the steering wheel every few minutes.Meanwhile Evelyn spoke softly. "Just remember to stay calm."Rowan nodded absentmindedly. "I'm serious."Her voice remained gentle. "When Shannon gets angry, don't react."The words made Rowan's chest tighten. Because honestly she deserved to be angry. More than angry.She deserved far worse. "I know."Evelyn nodded approvingly. "Good." Then she added carefully, "We both deserve whatever s
The assistant gasped dramatically.Meanwhile several nearby employees had already started paying attention."Wait."The assistant's eyes widened. "Was that your man?"Shannon nearly stumbled. "My what?""Your man."The assistant lowered her voice. "The rich one."Shannon immediately continued walking faster. Unfortunately her assistant followed faster. "This is the first time anyone has ever dropped you off.""No comment.""He looked rich.""No comment.""Like really rich.""No comment.""The car itself smelled expensive."That finally made Shannon laugh. "What does expensive smell like?""I don't know." The assistant waved her files dramatically. "But that car had it."Unfortunately for Shannon, they weren't the only people paying attention anymore.By the time they reached the elevators, several employees had already started whispering.Then came the questions."Manager Shannon has a boyfriend?""Since when?""Did anyone see that car?""Forget the car, did you see the man?""Does he
Back at Aria's Place, Shannon insisted on leaving within the next fifteen minutes. Sean insisted she sit down and eat first.Unfortunately for Shannon, Sean was far more stubborn so breakfast happened anyway.The dining table was filled with food neither of them had cooked this time because Shannon had immediately vetoed the idea of Sean spending another morning in the kitchen."I'm late," she reminded him."You are not.""I literally just woke up.""And yet somehow there's still time."Shannon rolled her eyes.Meanwhile Sean looked entirely too pleased with himself.A few minutes later they were eating while morning sunlight poured through the windows. Unlike last night, the conversation naturally shifted toward work.Shannon slowly stirred her coffee. "The fashion division is doing better than expected."Sean nodded.He already knew.He received reports.He just preferred hearing her talk about it."We're expanding faster than we planned."A small smile appeared."The plus size luxu
Morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains. Shannon woke feeling comfortable then reality slowly returned.The strong arm around her waist, the steady heartbeat beneath her cheek and the fact that she was very much not sleeping in her own bed alone.Her eyes widened immediately.The clock on the bedside table caught her attention.8:52 AM."Oh no."She nearly sat up before a familiar voice spoke beside her."Good morning, babe."Shannon froze. Then slowly turned her head.Sean looked entirely too relaxed for someone who had just casually called her that.Meanwhile Shannon felt her face heating instantly.Babe?Just like that?Like it was the most natural thing in the world?Sean's lips curved slightly when he noticed her reaction. And suddenly Shannon forgot what she was even panicking about.Then she remembered the time again. "Oh God."She buried her face briefly in her hands. "I'm late."Sean looked amused. "For?""Work."She pointed dramatically toward the clock. "It's
Sean stood outside her bedroom door with one hand resting against the frame.Meanwhile Shannon sat on the edge of her bed staring at the door like it had personally declared war on her. Her heart refused to calm down. Because what exactly was he doing here?After earlier?After stopping?After looking at her like that?After rejecting her?Just thinking about it made her want to hide under the bed forever.Outside, Sean sighed. "Shannon."No response."I know you can her me."Still nothing.Sean rubbed the back of his neck. This was harder than any boardroom negotiation he'd ever participated in.Inside the room, Shannon pulled her knees closer. Maybe if she stayed quiet long enough he'd leave.Unfortunately Sean seemed to know her too well already. "You're terrible at pretending to not hear me."That almost made her smile instead she remained stubbornly silent.A few more seconds passed then Sean spoke again. His voice lower this time, more serious. "I don't want to leave things like
The question came out before she could stop it because honestly this was Sean Vale. The man could probably have ten restaurants deliver food within fifteen minutes. So why was he cooking?Sean didn't even hesitate because to him the answer was simple. "I wanted to."Shannon blinked. "What?"Sean glanced toward her then casually said, "You didn't eat properly."Her heart skipped."You've had a rough day."Another beat."So I thought I'd make something."He said so like it was the most normal thing in the world then he returned to cooking.Meanwhile Shannon just stared at him because somehow that felt ridiculously romantic and the worst part Sean didn't seem to realize it. Not even slightly.He said it with the same seriousness he used discussing business contracts. Like cooking dinner because she cried herself to sleep was perfectly reasonable.Like taking care of her was normal.Like she mattered.And suddenly Shannon couldn't stop looking at him because Rowan had spent years being he







