“Nathan?”
The soft voice sent a ripple of tension through Nathan, so subtle most people wouldn’t have noticed. But I wasn’t most people.
I turned just as a stunning blonde approached our table, her designer dress hugging her curves like it had been made specifically for her. And maybe it had been. I knew who she was the second I saw her. Not just from the headlines, but from the numerous times she’d stopped by the office to see Nathan.
Because standing in front of me was Sadie Stevens. Hollywood’s golden girl and Nathan’s former favorite pastime.
She was important to him once.Intimately.
And I hated that I cared.
“Nathan,” Sadie repeated, stopping beside him with an easy familiarity that made my stomach tighten. Her gaze flicked to me, curiosity and something sharper flashing in her blue eyes. “And you’re—”
“Elise.” Nathan’s voice was smooth as ever, but I caught a slight edge to it. “Elise, I’m sure you remember Sadie. Sadie, Elise.”
Her lips parted slightly before she gave a knowing hum. “Elise? As inshe’s just my assistantElise?”
The way she said it was like she was finally confirming a suspicion she’d never been able to shake.
Nathan’s jaw flexed, and his fingers tensed around his glass, but Sadie barely acknowledged him. She was too busy watching me, her expression far too assessing for my liking.
And maybe it was stupid, but I couldn’t help but think about what she and Nathan had shared. The kind of history that didn’t just vanish.
Had he brought her here before?
Did he ever reach across the table and entwine their fingers like it was the most natural thing in the world?
Had he touched her the way he touched me?
The thought made my stomach twist in the worst way.
“Hi Sadie,” I said lightly, forcing a breezy smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “I’m not his assistant anymore.”
Sadie’s gaze flicked between me and Nathan, her lips curving slightly as if she’d just confirmed something. “No kidding,” she murmured before turning her attention to Nathan. “I miss you. Give me a call when you’re done pretending to be whatever this is. I mean, I wouldn’t want you to forget what real passion feels like.” Her eyes flicked to me, lips curling. “Unless you already have?”
“Oh, don’t worry, Sadie,” I said, voice oozing with sweetness. “Nathan’s memory is just fine. If anything, I’d say he’s getting arealeducation these days.”
Nathan let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head slightly as he took a sip of his drink, but he didn’t interrupt.
“Now if you don’t mind Sadie,” His hand slid onto my thigh under the table, the warmth of his palm grounding me even as my pulse thundered. “Mygirlfriendand I have dinner to finish."
Sadie’s gaze snapped to mine, something dark flickering in her blue eyes. Surprise? Annoyance?
A mixture of both, if I had to guess.
But I didn’t care. Because right now, all I could focus on was what Nathan had said.
Girlfriend.
The word settled into my bones, warm and solid and real.
Sadie tilted her head, clearly unhappy but unwilling to show it.
“Girlfriend,” she said softly. “That’s… a first.”
Nathan didn’t take the bait. He simply lifted my hand from my lap and brought it to his lips, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss to my fingers.
I was pretty sure I stopped breathing.
