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“It was just luck,” I said, hoping to end the conversation before she realized I almost quit.

“Small wins, dear,” she said. “Always take the small wins.”

“Noted. May I?” I motioned toward the coffee and, at her nod, poured us both a cup.

She accepted hers, soft blue eyes studying me. “I admit I had an ulterior motive in inviting you here today.”

My stomach jolted, and the coffee I’d just swallowed went down like acid. She did know about Shep’s warning. Was I about to receive a dressing-down for daring to anger her beloved husband? For even fantasizing about a relationship with her precious son?

“Oh?” I said, though it came out far too high-pitched to sound normal.

She stirred the cream into her cup without clinking the spoon against the edge. The rock on her left hand was so large, I wondered whether it weighed her down. “I was updating my calendar,” she said, “and I came across an engagement I’d quite forgotten.”

A—what?

“It’s next week,” she said. “Perhaps you’d consider accompanying us? It’s a fundraising event supporting MS treatment centers, I believe. I thought I could help you get your toes wet, show you how to schmooze.”

“Oh.” I stared at the carpet, still shoving down the illogical fear she might yell Gotcha! Stay away from my son, you lowborn trash. “You want to teach me how to fundraise?”

“Yes. Since you’re interested in charitable work.” She took a delicate sip of her coffee. “I’ve thought a lot about how we could get you into a position you want. After Henley, of course.”

I laughed, utterly confused.

“What’s funny?” she asked as a dainty crease formed between her golden eyebrows.

Where even to start? “It’s just— It’s not that I’m not grateful because I am, but why are you doing so much to help me, Mrs. Shepherd?”

“Nessa.”

I swallowed. “Nessa.”

She set down her cup and saucer, then folded her hands in her lap. “Do you not want my help, Shay?”

“No, I do. I would love to learn everything you know. I’m just confused, is all.”

She studied me for a long time. Long enough that I learned it wasn’t only from Shep that Cam had inherited his intense stare.

“I like you,” she said eventually. “Even as a girl, you impressed me. My son is the smartest person I know, yet you bested him at nearly everything. You overcame adversity and fought for those who can’t fight for themselves. You smiled when they gave you that ridiculous moniker instead of calling them out on their hypocrisy. Your heart is good, and I’ve learned in my years that money can’t buy good people. Good people are like gems, Shay. They have to be mined from the surrounding dirt and rocks, and once you have them, you have to take care of them because their value only grows with time.”

Oh. Wow. That was such a pretty speech. Or maybe I just liked it because it was full of compliments. Whatever the reason, my chest clenched with a yearning to be the person she thought I was, to be good enough for her—for all of them.

Could I be that person? Nessa’s husband believed I couldn’t.

But what did I believe?

“That’s—” I blinked away a sudden pressure behind my eyes. “Thank you, Nessa. I’m flattered.”

She picked up her coffee once more. “Now that’s settled, let’s get back to it. The Legendary Party is black tie, of course, but I’ve already spoken to Ivy. She’ll lend you a gown if you don’t have one.”

I definitely didn’t have a gown.

“You could borrow one of mine, but a young, beautiful woman needs a young, beautiful dress, don’t you agree?”

“Uh—yes?”

“You’ll sit at our table, and we’ll begin your network.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

A giddy thrill spread through my limbs. “This sounds really great! Thank you.”