“Tessa,” I say before Rowan can answer. My smile feels practiced, but it holds. “Rowan’s better half. Depending on the hour and the class schedule.”
A few people laugh. One woman in pearls presses her glass against her lips to hide hers. Rowan’s hand finds my waist, his touch light but certain. It’s enough to remind me not to push too far.
I lean into him slightly, keeping my balance and my composure. The weight of his hand steadies me, though I wish it didn’t.
“Rowan never mentioned you,” says a woman with silver hair and eyes that don’t blink enough. She studies me.
“That’s because I’m his best-kept secret,” I say, turning toward Rowan. “You wouldn’t believe the nondisclosure agreement I had to sign. Especially the part about his midnight skincare routine.”
The group laughs again, a few of them too loudly. Rowan’s thumb moves once along my back. The gesture is familiar, and it pulls heat to my throat before I can stop it.
The woman’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “And what year are you, dear?”
“I’m in my second year of law school,” I answer. “Trying to finish without collapsing or disappointing my professors. It’s a fine line.”
That earns a small chuckle from the man beside her. “And yet you’ve managed to land Rowan King. He’s been dodging plus-ones for years.”
“I wore him down,” I say, keeping my tone light. “Persistence works better than charm.”
A quick glance at Rowan shows something flickering behind his eyes before it disappears. I can’t tell if it’s amusement or something angrier.
“Then you must know all his weaknesses,” someone says from the edge of the circle. Their tone carries interest that doesn’t match their smile.
I hold the man’s gaze for a heartbeat, my stomach tightening. The air shifts around us. Everyone is waiting to see if I’ll answer. I can feel Rowan watching me, waiting, as well.
I take a sip of champagne, pretending to think it over. “He owns more hair products than I do,” I say, letting my voice carry just enough to be heard. “And he travels with them.”
A few people laugh. Rowan doesn’t. His eyes slide to mine. “You use them.”
“Only because yours work better.”
His jaw ticks. “You could ask before stealing.”
“I like the risk,” I whisper.
He exhales through his nose, the faintest shake of his head. “You’re exhausting.”
“You like it.”
“I tolerate it,” he mutters.
I grin, keeping my eyes on the partner across from us. “He says that about everything he enjoys.”
“She says that about everything that gets her in trouble,” Rowan replies, his tone flat enough to make the group laugh again.
I can feel the warmth of his hand at my waist, the subtle flex of his fingers as he reins himself in. It’s enough to make my pulse skip.
“She’s trouble,” he adds, his voice low enough that only I catch the undercurrent in it.
“And yet you keep showing up,” I whisper back.
“Bad habit.”
“Want me to break it for you?”
He looks down at me, expression unreadable. “You couldn’t if you tried.”
The air feels heavier now, and I’m the one who breaks eye contact first. Someone nearby clears his throat, amused. “You two should stay for tea tomorrow. Croquet on the lawn. partners versus candidates.”
