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My head tilted. “Oh?”

She nodded, then gestured for us to step into the courtyard, where the band’s music dimmed and the fairy lights twinkled in the dark. Most of the crowd mingled in the warmth indoors, but a few guests had retreated to the relative quiet outside, sitting among the cushioned chairs around gas fire pits.

Nessa and I wandered to a more private area, taking a seat before a fire flickering over a bed of blue glass rocks.

“For many years,” she said, “I’ve considered putting some muscle behind the Shepherd name in terms of charitable works. I host this ball, and I give to other organizations, of course, but I’ve always felt I could do more. After our first conversation, I looked into starting my own foundation.”

Speechless, I set my half-full glass on the stone edge of the fire pit. She seemed to be waiting for my response, so I stammered out, “That’s amazing, Nessa. Truly.”

A grin spread over her face, and if I wasn’t mistaken, I detected a cast of pride in her expression. “It’s a lot of work, of course. I’m starting from scratch here, but I think this has the potential to be something great.”

“It really does.” I gave her hand a quick squeeze. “The Shepherd Foundation. It even sounds noble.”

She chuckled. “Yes, well, it’s in its infancy, and I’m going to need help.”

I nodded. Of course she’d need help. It was a huge undertaking, but she could affect so much good with the resources at her disposal.

“Which is why,” she continued, “I was wondering if you’d be interested in helping.”

I blinked. “What?”

“After Henley, of course. Though I understand you’ve already helped them make quite the turnaround.”

Shocked, and a little confused, I could barely form a reply. She couldn’t truly mean it, right? “You want me to…”

“Help me build my foundation. This would mean a paid position doing what you told me you dreamed of doing. Together, my dreams and yours could really make things happen.”

“Nessa.” I could barely breathe. Why was this woman so kind to me when her husband wanted me out of their lives? I was touched, but excitement and doubt spun like a top. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll think about it. You don’t have to decide tonight, dear. Henley is just a stepping stone for you, and I’m hoping you’ll take your next step toward me.”

“Of course.” I swallowed and reached for my drink, hoping to wet my dry throat. “I’ll definitely think about it. It sounds like a dream come true.”

And it did. One too good to be true.

“Besides, Henley’s fraternization policy is rather cumbersome, is it not?” With a smile, she patted my arm, and I went utterly speechless. “Unfortunately, I must leave you to visit with my other guests.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice to a teasing whisper. “Even the boring ones.”

After she floated away, I stared at the flames licking toward the heavens—small ribbons of light, striving to climb higher and never succeeding.

Was I a fool to even consider it? My days as a person of good standing with the Shepherds were numbered. Camden would eventually learn the truth, and when he did, he might leave me. I couldn’t take a job with his mother without knowing the ultimate result of my relationship with Cam. He’d resent me for inserting myself into his life, causing continued difficulties with his family. The thought of telling Cam what his father had threatened was like an icy fist of shame punching straight through my chest, but I needed to do it. Soon.

I just didn’t know how.

Before I’d fully considered it, a body compressed the cushion next to me, and I looked into Cam’s face, the firelight dancing in his eyes.

“Sorry it took me so long to get away,” he said.

“It wasn’t a problem. I entertained myself fine.”

“Did my mother tell you her idea?”

“She did,” I said, studying his face. “You—you knew?”

He nodded. “She asked if I thought you’d be interested. I wondered if you might like it better than that city job you interviewed for.”

A warm, fuzzy sensation spread through my chest. “Why are you so good to me?”

He smiled as if he found the question silly. His answering hum was both a tease and a challenge. “You’re a smart girl. You’ll figure it out.”