Chapter 2

They wouldn't let her off the hook.

"So when's the berth tour, Sienna?"

"Give us a date, come on."

She sipped her coffee. "Paperwork isn't fully through yet. I'll let everyone know once it's done."

I looked up again.

"The paperwork can't come through."

The room stilled.

"Or we're not worth your yacht."

"Or the contract isn't actually yours."

A couple of the loudest ones glanced at each other. Fast, then away.

The door swung open before Sienna could answer.

The department head walked in holding her laptop under one arm. She went straight to Sienna's desk, looped her arm through hers, and kissed her cheek like they'd gone to school together.

Then she turned to me.

"Celine."

"I know your marriage isn't a happy one. I know you went and married a man with no prospects. That's your business. Don't spray it on the people around you."

She set her laptop down.

"This yacht of Sienna's. Boss Enzo called me himself to walk the paperwork through. I was in the loop the whole time. One more performance out of you and I'll be suggesting to the board that we reconsider whether you belong at the liaison desk."

I held her eye. Didn't answer.

She didn't need me to. The chorus picked it up in half a second.

"Celine, are you literally insane? Going after the boss now?"

"You don't even respect the department head. You think you're staying at this club?"

"A girl who files forms, questioning a member. Did you hit your head this morning?"

"I'd be embarrassed if I were her husband."

I glanced at Julian.

He was studying his screen like it was a stock chart.

Sienna let them go a beat longer. Then she waved a hand, soft.

"It's fine. Let's drop it."

She smiled at me across the room.

"It's all right this time, Celine. But next time, there might not be anyone around to pull you out of it."

The shift happened in the big group after lunch.

Someone had screenshotted every word I'd said, dropped it into the main club chat. Four hundred people. Old guard, new members, board seats, spouses.

The replies came in like hail.

Who is this? Why is she picking on Sienna Vance.

Yacht envy is an ugly look.

Can someone please check whether liaison staff are allowed to interrogate members now.

Sienna, are you okay? Let us know if the club should issue a statement.

Sienna didn't answer any of them directly.

What she did instead was post a set of interior renderings. Teak floors, navy velvet, the curve of a sky deck railing lit by ambient light. Six images. Professional.

She pinned a single line above them.

Once the paperwork's through, whoever matters will be on board. 😊

I watched Julian across the room.

He read it twice. Then he tapped on Sienna's avatar. Followed her. Private messaged her. I couldn't see what he wrote. He held his phone flat against the desk.

Five seconds later he checked his screen again for a reply.

I pulled a stack of invoices off the printer. Tapped them straight against the desk.

My knuckles went white for one second.

Then I stopped looking at him.

Before I closed my laptop for the night, I checked the main group one last time.

The newest message was Julian's.

Sienna, your yacht is beautiful. Please take me with you next time. 🙏

Under it, a row of hearts. Thumbs-up. Applause hands.