Chapter 2

Sophia

As I circulated through the party, sipping my champagne and exchanging pleasantries, I spotted a familiar face in the crowd. Jack, my old college buddy and occasional partner in crime was leaning against the bar, radiating an aura of suave sophistication that could grace any fashion magazine cover.

I made my way over. "Well, well, if it isn't Jack Thompson. I thought I smelled trouble."

He turned, his face lighting up with that million-dollar smile. "Sophia, as I live and breathe. Still breaking hearts and taking names, I see."

"Please, my diet is the only thing I'm breaking these days. How'd you wrangle an invite to this shindig?"

"Oh, you know me," he winked, "I have my ways. Plus, I heard there'd be free booze."

"Of course you did," I laughed, shaking my head. "Well, try not to cause too much chaos, okay? I'd hate to have to bail you out of jail again."

"That was one time! And in my defense, how was I supposed to know that fountain wasn't for swimming?"

"Right, because giant marble structures in the middle of Central Park just scream 'jump in me'."

He grinned, unrepentant. "So, what's the occasion for this little soiree? Nathan finally learned how to tie his own shoelaces?"

I swatted his arm playfully. "Be nice. Actually, he just closed a huge real estate deal. Some swanky new development downtown. This is his way of celebrating."

"Ah, nothing says 'I'm filthy rich' quite like throwing a party to remind everyone else how filthy rich you are," Jack quipped, raising his glass in a mock toast.

"Says the man who's currently enjoying said filthy rich man's top-shelf liquor," I pointed out.

He shrugged, not even bothering to look ashamed. "What can I say? I'm a man of simple pleasures."

Just then, I spotted another familiar face weaving through the crowd. "Oh lord, incoming," I muttered.

Jack followed my gaze and smirked. "Is that-"

"Yep."

"Should we run?"

"Too late."

"Sophia! Jack!" Mia, our mutual friend and human equivalent of a caffeine overdose, bounced over to us. "Oh my god, can you believe this party? It's like, totally amazing!"

"Mia, hey! Glad you could make it," I said, trying to match her enthusiasm without spilling my drink. Mia's energy could power a small city, and sometimes, it was exhausting just being in her orbit.

Jack leaned in, his breath tickling my ear. "You know, Soph, you're looking particularly ravishing tonight. That dress is doing wonders for your... assets."

I rolled my eyes, pushing him away playfully. "Down, boy. Your charm might work on the sorority girls, but I'm immune."

"Ow," he pressed his hand to his heart theatrically. "I believed we shared a unique connection."

Mia giggled, her eyes darting between us. "Oh my god, you two are so cute! Are you sure you're not secretly dating?"

I snorted. "Trust me, Mia, hell would freeze over before that happened."

Jack winked at me. "Never say never, darling. I might just wear you down one of these days."

Something caught my eye across the room as I opened my mouth to deliver a scathing retort. Nathan was engaged in a very intense conversation with a woman I didn't recognize. She was stunning, with all her long legs and perfect hair. She laughed at something he said and touched his arm.

I frowned, an uncomfortable feeling settling in my stomach. "Hey, Jack," I nudged him. "Who's that talking to Nathan?"

Jack followed my gaze, his eyebrows raising slightly. "Oh, that's Olivia. Nathan's new assistant. Quite the looker, isn't she?"

I hummed noncommittally, watching as Olivia leaned in close to whisper something in Nathan's ear. The way they stood—heads bent together, bodies angled towards each other—looked intimate—too intimate for my liking.

"Hey, Sophia!" Mia's voice snapped me back to reality. "Are you okay? You totally spaced out there for a second."

I blinked, forcing a smile. "Yeah, sorry. Just... admiring the decor."

Jack shot me a knowing look but mercifully didn't comment.

I tried to shake off the unease that had settled over me. So what if Nathan was talking to his attractive new assistant? It didn't mean anything. I was being paranoid, right?

"Hey," Jack waved his hand in front of my face. "You still with us?"

I blinked, forcing myself to focus on my friends. "Sorry, just got lost in thought for a second there. You know how it goes when you're racking your brain wondering if you forgot to turn off the burner."

Mia giggled. "Oh my god, I do that all the time! I was halfway to work yesterday when I suddenly panicked, thinking I'd left my straightener plugged in. I almost turned around!"

"Did you?" Jack asked.

"No, I figured if my apartment burned down, I'd have an excuse to redecorate," Mia shrugged, sipping her cocktail.

Mia's carefree attitude was infectious, and I felt some tension melt away. "You're something else, Mia."

"Speaking of something else," Jack said, nodding towards the buffet table. "Is that caviar I spy? I think it's time I put Nathan's hospitality to the test."

"Try not to bankrupt him," I called after Jack as he made a beeline for the food.

Mia linked her arm through mine. "So, spill. How are things with you and Nathan? Still disgustingly in love?"

I hesitated, my eyes unconsciously drifting back to where Nathan and Olivia were still deep in conversation. They were laughing now, Nathan's hand resting casually on Olivia's arm. I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the knot forming in my stomach.

"Things are... good," I managed, tearing my gaze away. "You know how it is. Busy schedules, lots of work. But we're making it work."

Mia nodded sympathetically. "I totally get it. Relationships are hard work, especially when you're both so successful. But you guys are like, total couple goals!"

I forced a smile, grateful when Jack returned, his plate piled high with what looked like half the buffet table.

"Ladies," he popped a caviar-laden cracker into his mouth. "You're missing out on some prime eats over there."

"Jack, did you leave any food for the other guests?" I teased, grateful for the distraction.

He shrugged, unrepentant. "Early bird gets the worm, Soph. Or, in this case, the obscenely expensive fish eggs."

"You know, if you eat all of Nathan's caviar, he might not invite you to the next party."

Jack popped another cracker into his mouth. "Please, I'm the life of these shindigs. He'd be lost without me."

"Yeah, lost in a sea of leftovers," I quipped, rolling my eyes. "I'm sure Nathan would be thrilled to host a party where you're the only guest and the entire buffet."

"Now that's my kind of party. No small talk, just good eats."

"You're impossible," I said, shaking my head with a smile. "What would your mother say if she saw you now?"

"She'd probably ask why I didn't save her any caviar," he replied with a wink.

I laughed, but my amusement was short-lived. My eyes kept drifting back to Nathan and Olivia. They were still deep in conversation, their heads close together, and I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in my gut. Something about their body language seemed too intimate for a casual chat between boss and assistant. I tried to focus on Jack's antics, but the nagging worry persisted, like a splinter I couldn't quite reach.