Chapter 2:

Late Night Ride

The gala had been exhausting hours of fake smiles, wandering hands from married executives, and condescending comments about how “lovely” it was that I was keeping my father’s company afloat. By the time I climbed into the back of the SUV, my head was spinning from too much champagne and my body hummed with frustration. The long silver gown I wore sparkled under the passing streetlights, the slit running high up my thigh.

Andrew glanced at me in the rearview mirror as he pulled away from the venue. “Rough night, Miss Lily?”

I sighed, kicking off my silver heels and stretching my legs across the...