Page 96 of Trust Fund Baby

“Don’t sell yourself short,” James said, giving me a knowing look, having watched me write myself off since we were teenagers. “It takes more than checks to do what you’ve done these past months. This entire thing was your idea. You’ve not only changed the lives of others, but you’ve changed your own. We’re really proud of you.”

I arched a brow, though there was no sting to his words. “You’re sounding like everyone else in the room, James. Careful, or I’ll start believing what people are saying.”

James’s smirk softened. “Maybe you should.”

Hallie nudged him lightly with her elbow. “What he’s trying to say is that you’ve grown into this. And we’re proud of you. But you know the night isn’t only about the donors or the food bank, right?”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

She didn’t answer immediately. Instead, her eyes flicked toward the entrance of the ballroom, a small, knowing smile tugging at her lips. James followed her gaze, the corners of his lips pulling upward. I turned to follow their sightline until my own landed on the most striking woman in the entire place.

Roxie.

The air left my lungs all at once. She stepped into the room in a gown the color of deep sapphire, her camera hanging from a delicate leather strap at her side as though it was a natural extension of her. The perfect accessory. Her long blonde hair swept up into a slick updo which allowed her sharp cheekbones to steal the spotlight. I watched her scan the room with a purpose, looking for someone, until her eyes landed on me.

The noise of the gala dimmed, as if someone had lowered the volume on the entire world. All I could hear was the sudden rush of blood in my ears. Even so, months apart, just the sight of her unraveled something inside me I hadn’t even realized was still wound so tightly.

Hallie leaned closer, her voice a whisper. “Play nice, Sebastian. She’s here so we can finish our review of your food bank, and she still doesn’t know that you’re the director.”

I didn’t look away from Roxie. I couldn’t even if I wanted to. My chest tightened as I watched the slight part of her lips, the way her shoulders squared like she was bracing herself for a collision.

James nudged me slightly, sending me a reassuring nod as he pushed me in Roxie’s direction. I hesitated at first as every moment since we’d come back into each other’s lives over the last year played through my mind. Every interaction ended in heartbreak or a fight. Part of me wanted to spare myself, and her, from that tonight.

But then Roxie started walking toward me.

Every step she took felt like a countdown.

Three. Her camera bumped off her hip as she moved through the crowd.

Two. Her eyes scanned over to James and Hallie, and I got the chance to see my favorite smile in the entire world stretch across her face.

One. She stopped in front of me, close enough that I could catch the familiar hint of Chanel No. 5.

“Hallie,” she said, completely ignoring me despite standing right in front of me. “Sorry I’m late. Traffic was backed up to get in here. I feel like everyone who’s anyone is here tonight.”

Hallie lit up and reached for her, polite enough to ignore how Roxie had just brushed me off. “You’re here. That’s what matters. And you look incredible.”

“Thank you,” Roxie murmured with a small smile, pulling back, her hand still resting lightly on Hallie’s arm as if touching her best friend grounded her. She hadn’t so much as flicked her gaze toward me again, though I was standing inches away.

My pulse was hammering in my throat.

James stepped in, ever the steady anchor. “We were just saying how well tonight has come together. You’ll want to get some shots before it gets too crowded.”

“Come together?” Roxie asked curiously. “You act as if you’ve had a hand in this, James.”

Hallie looked almost sheepish now as she glanced nervously between Roxie, James, and me. “Well, now that you mention it …”

“Hallie, is there something you’re not telling me? Are you and James a part of this venture?” Roxie asked, her eyes now bouncing from Hallie’s to James’s. But still avoiding mine.

“Well,” James said slowly, stepping in to rescue Hallie, who was floundering hopelessly next to him. “Our friend is the director, and we were only helping him.”

Roxie’s brows knitted together, her lips parted slightly as she processed James’s words. “Your friend?” Her gaze flickered between them again, expectant, as if she was waiting for a name to be dropped.

Hallie shifted on her heels, her blush deepening, the guilt practically written across her face. “Yes,” she blurted. “He’s been working really hard to make tonight possible. We just supported the vision.”

Roxie tilted her head, her photographer’s eye clearly sharpening, like a hawk homing in on its prey. “I see,” she murmured. Her voice was soft, but the edge in it was undeniable. “And this mysterious director, he doesn’t want to be named?”

Her camera hung against her hip, forgotten, as she glanced once more at James—then finally, her eyes cut to mine. The room seemed to fold in around us, the chandelier light catching in her sapphire dress, her stare locking me in place.