ROSE’S POV

My stomach was doing flips so hard I thought I might actually throw up right there on the red carpet leading into the grand ballroom. The Valkar Group annual dinner was always a big deal—black ties, sparkling gowns, crystal chandeliers that probably cost more than most people’s houses—but tonight felt different. Tonight I wasn’t just Damien’s date. Tonight I was giving the opening speech.

I’d known about it for two weeks. Damien had told me over breakfast one morning, casual as anything, like he was asking me to pass the salt. “You’re doing the welcome speech this year, baby.” I’d stared at him like he’d grown a second...