Mrs. Spencer’s nose wrinkles.
“But surely you’re not planning to tend bar forever?” Lisa’s hand shoots out to grip my wrist when I start to rise. “What are your actual career plans?”
I resist rubbing where she grabbed me. These people are vipers.
“Not everyone had their lives mapped out at birth,” Marcie says quietly. “Some of us are still figuring it out.”
The way she says it makes me shrink a little.
Poor little Tara, still finding her way. I watch Alfie reach for another drink and make a decision. Screw etiquette.
My fingers find the kunzite pendant automatically, drawing strength from its weight. Mrs. Spencer’s eyes follow the movement, something calculating in her gaze.
“That’s a rather unique piece,” she says, voice carefully neutral.
“It was a gift,” I reply simply. “If you’ll excuse me”—I stand, ignoring Lisa’s perfectly manicured frown—“I need to save my boyfriend from death by small talk.”
I slide up beside Alfie just as his father is mid-lecture about market diversification. “There you are,” I say brightly, slipping my hand into his. His fingers close around mine automatically, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. “I was just thinking about yourfascinatingresearch.”
That gets Alfie's attention. His head snaps toward me, but I just squeeze his hand.Trust me.
“Research?” Mr. Spencer’s stern expression shifts as I mention Alfie’s work. “The... geology project?”
“The high-pressure mineral synthesis study,” I correct, recalling how Alfie’s hands start waving around whenever he talks about it. “The implications for understanding super-Earth core compositions are fascinating. Professor Hammond says it could revolutionize planetary formation theory.”
Drake snorts into his whiskey. “Rocks and ice. Very... academic.”
“Actually,” I turn to him, unleashing my sweetest smile, “it’s about fundamental questions of habitability on other worlds. The kind of research NASA and SpaceX are investing billions in.” I glance meaningfully at his expensive watch. “Smart money is paying attention to planetary science these days.”
The shift in the air is subtle but immediate. Mr. Spencer straightens, suddenly interested. “NASA, you say?”
“Mm-hm. Dr. Zhang from CalTech is specifically coming to review Alfie’s findings.” Alfie takes a sharpintake of breath beside me. “But I probably shouldn’t say more. Confidentiality agreements and all that.”
“CalTech?” Drake’s dismissive tone wavers. “I didn’t know you were interested in going there?”
Alfie shrugs. “Yeah, I might be doing post-grad research there.”
“Wow. Staying in academia.” Drake’s face twists. “That’s... nice.”
“It is nice.” I beam at him. “One of the top research institutions in the world. Their planetary science program only accepts two PhD candidates a year. Very exclusive.”
Mr. Spencer is studying his younger son with new consideration. “You never mentioned CalTech.”
“It wasn’t relevant,” Alfie says quietly, but his hand squeezes mine.
“Everything’s relevant in this family, darling,” Lisa appears with fresh drinks. “Especially career moves that could affect the family image.”
“Oh, it probably only matters if you’re born into the family,” I reply, matching her syrupy tone. “Instead of just marrying into it.”
Drake chokes on his drink. Lisa’s perfect smile freezes. Even Mr. Spencer’s eyebrows lift slightly.
“Actually,” I cut in, noticing how Alfie’s glass is empty again, “would you mind if I borrowed him for a moment?”
I tug Alfie toward the terrace before anyone can object. The night air is cool, and we’re finally, blessedly alone.
“Breathe,” I tell him softly.
He lets out a shaky exhale. Damn, he really does look good tonight. “How did you know all that about my research?”
