The following days after the showroom preview were a blur of meetings, emails, and deadlines for both Jenna and Liam. Their brief encounter had lingered in their minds, each unsure of where the connection was headed. But the professional world they lived in didn't allow for distractions, and both were adept at burying their emotions under layers of responsibility.
It wasn't until Jenna received an unexpected invitation to an exclusive gala — the kind reserved for only the city's top elite — that the unspoken tension between them resurfaced.
She hadn't planned on going. In fact, she'd planned to stay in, catch up on the latest jewelry designs, and unwind. But when she saw Liam's name on the RSVP list, her curiosity piqued.
A text from him arrived soon after.
Liam: I expect to see you at the gala. Don't make me chase you again.
She smiled to herself, typing a quick reply.
Jenna: I'm not the one who needs chasing, Ryder. But I'll be there. Just don't be late.
The gala was everything Jenna had anticipated: extravagant, opulent, and dripping in exclusivity. Her heels clicked against the marble floor as she entered, the light from chandeliers catching the glint of the diamonds she wore. She made her way through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries, her eyes scanning the room. But there was only one person she truly wanted to see.
Then, she spotted him.
Liam stood across the room, his presence undeniable, his sharp gaze already fixed on her. His navy suit from their last meeting was replaced by a black tuxedo, the kind that was too perfect to be accidental. He was, as always, effortlessly captivating.
Their eyes locked, and without a word, he began making his way toward her. The crowd parted slightly, as if they knew this was a moment that didn't need to be interrupted.
"I thought you were supposed to be working," she said, her voice playful as he reached her.
Liam's lips twitched in a grin. "And miss the chance to see you again? Not a chance."
Jenna chuckled, her heart betraying her calm exterior. "Well, you're lucky I didn't have any other plans."
"I'll take that as an invitation." He offered her his arm, a gesture that felt more intimate than it should have.
She hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand in the crook of his elbow. "Lead the way, Ryder."
He escorted her to the center of the room, where the crowd began to part for them. Jenna felt the gaze of others on her, but it didn't matter. It was just her and Liam in that moment.
"So, what's your game here?" she asked, her voice a low challenge.
Liam glanced down at her with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Game? I'm just enjoying the show."
"And I'm your entertainment?"
He stopped, turning toward her with a slight shift in posture. His voice was softer now, more serious. "Maybe. But I think you're starting to be something else entirely."
Jenna didn't know how to respond to that, the shift in his tone catching her off guard. For a moment, they just stood there, the crowd swirling around them, yet it felt like they were the only two people in the room.
Then, with a small sigh, she broke the silence. "We'll see where this goes, won't we?"
Liam's smile returned, sly and knowing. "I think we already know."
And with that, the dance of words and glances continued.
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