Page 26 of Interview with the Billionaire

N. Stark: Honestly, I don’t remember. I was Social Nikki at the party. Or I was trying to be. All polite and refined, but that mask fell pretty quickly. Damien’s the only one I’ve ever been with where I’ve had to fight myself to keep the mask on. Usually, I have to fight to take it off. No, wait. Evelyn. I met Evelyn right off, and was pretty much mask-free.

Bridge: Do you believe in soulmates?

N. Stark: I never did before. But Damien is everything a soulmate should be.

Bridge: And was Damien present while Blaine was working?

N. Stark: Now you’re starting to sound prurient.

Bridge: I didn’t intend it that way, but during the time you were being painted, you and Damien began to date.

N. Stark: I’m not sure I’d call it dating, but we can go with yes.

[It’s clear from their expressions that my question amuses them.]

Bridge: Why is that funny?

N. Stark: No reason.

[I don’t believe them, but I know when to move on.]

Bridge: Would you say the painting was the catalyst for your relationship?

N. Stark: I think that’s fair, yes.

D. Stark: I disagree.

N. Stark: Do you? So what was it? My shoe debacle on the stairs?

[They laugh, but since he shakes his head, I don’t ask. I’m too curious to see what he does consider the beginning.]

N. Stark: The limo?

D. Stark: Dallas, of course.

[Her smile blooms like a flower, and it is easy to see why she did so well on the pageant circuit.]

Bridge: What happened in Dallas?

D. Stark: Absolutely nothing. But we saw each other. It was during a break in a pageant she was in and I was judging. We spoke to each other.

N. Stark: You could say there was a vibe.

Bridge: So you stayed in touch?

D. Stark: No. We never spoke after that night until the party for Blaine.

Bridge: I’m sorry, I don’t think I’m following. If nothing happened, how was that the beginning?

D. Stark: It just was. I just knew.

Bridge: Knew what?

D. Stark: That she was mine.

Bridge: And what if the party for Blaine hadn’t happened?

D. Stark: But it did.