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Within twenty minutes, Claire had introduced Noah to six coworkers, two clients, and Mrs. Sinclair. He remembered every name. He asked intelligent questions about campaigns he knew nothing about and somehow charmed the woman Claire had once watched reduce a senior executive to silence.

Worse, he looked completely natural at her side.

Avery was obviously the first coworker she introduced Noah to. She found them almost as soon as they arrived. “How did you guys meet?” she asked.

Claire glanced at Noah and sighed. “Well, it all started when he stole my Chinese food.”

Noah smiled. “Accidentally.”

“That remains under investigation.”

“I returned it.”

“After opening it.”

Avery looked between them. “And that led to dating?”

Noah reached for Claire’s hand, intertwining their fingers. “I had to find a way to redeem myself.”

“He’s still working on it,” Claire said.

“She’s difficult to impress.”

“Yet somehow, here you are.”

Noah looked down at her. “Here I am.”

Her chest tightened.

Nearly as soon as Avery moved on, they were approached by Mrs. Sinclair. “Good evening, Claire.”

“Hi, Mrs. Sinclair.” She gestured to Noah. “This is Noah.”

Mrs. Sinclair looked him up and down, as if she was inspecting whether he was worthy of being in the room. She probably was. “Nice to meet you, Noah.”

Noah smiled. “Nice to meet you as well. I’ve heard great things about you from Claire.”

“I should hope so.” A smile pulled at her lips, but she maintained her composure.

Of course Noah could charm Mrs. Sinclair. He really did always know exactly what to say. He was confident without trying too hard.

After talking with them for a few minutes, Mrs. Sinclair leaned closer to Claire. “I like him. He lets you speak for yourself.” Before Claire could reply, she continued, “He’s proud of you. You should see the look in his eye when he watches you talk about work.”

Claire didn’t know what to say to that.

She was currently trapped in conversation with a coworker who had decided she needed to hear about his crypto portfolio. Noah was getting them drinks.

“. . .and if you think about diversification,” he said confidently.

Claire nodded slowly, actively dying inside. Noah came up beside her, wrapping his arm around her waist.

Claire forgot the sentence the coworker was in the middle of saying.

His hand settled against her side, and suddenly she was aware of everything at once. Him beside her, the faint scent of his cologne, the way his hand rested just above her hip.

Casually.

Like touching her like this was the most normal thing in the world.