Chapter 15

Evelyn believed Isabella would adore this SpongeBob wrapping paper.

She set aside the other designs and selected the SpongeBob one, rising from her seat.

"Ah—"

In her focus on choosing the perfect wrapping for the books, she'd entirely forgotten about the imposing figure beside her.

The vintage brooch on Evelyn's blouse had snagged on Dominic's designer belt.

"My apologies, I—" Evelyn stammered, staring at the tangled metal with growing horror.

Dominic's dark gaze dropped to where she fumbled. Something unreadable flickered in his eyes.

"Just give me a moment..." Her fingers trembled as she attempted to free the intricate clasp.

Never in her twenty-three years had Evelyn found herself handling a man's belt buckle. Not during that fateful night five years ago, nor in her relationship with Nathan.

Why did these mortifying situations only occur around Dominic Blackwood?

The ornate brooch had wedged itself stubbornly into the belt's mechanism. The more she struggled, the warmer her cheeks burned.

"Are we making progress?" His deep voice rumbled above her.

Evelyn glanced up.

Dominic stood like a marble statue—tall, immaculate in his tailored suit. Three buttons of his crisp white shirt lay undone, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of toned chest. His narrow waist accentuated broad shoulders, the perfect proportions of a man who belonged on a Milan runway.

"I... I don't mind sacrificing the brooch." She averted her eyes. "But freeing it might damage your belt."

Years of studying luxury brands abroad told her that belt cost more than her monthly salary.

"A scratched buckle beats having you permanently attached to my waist." Dominic observed her frantic efforts with amusement.

Golden twilight bathed his sharp features as Evelyn resumed her task, lips pressed in concentration.

Her warm breath ghosted across his abdomen as she worked. Dominic's posture stiffened imperceptibly.

Click.

Finally, the brooch came free.

Evelyn exhaled in relief, cradling the damaged keepsake. Then she noticed.

Her gaze dropped.

A shocked gasp escaped as she stumbled back, eyes wide with horrified realization.

Dominic loomed over her, his expression unreadable. When their eyes met, Evelyn's mouth went dry.

"Sorry! I'll finish wrapping those books now, Mr. Blackwood!" She snatched up the SpongeBob paper and fled to her task.

The remaining hour passed in excruciating awkwardness. Dominic's very presence erected invisible barriers of power and privilege.

Only when safely in the elevator did Evelyn's pulse steady. She resolved never to visit the executive floor again.

Work piled high on her desk provided blessed distraction from the afternoon's humiliation.

"Dinner at our place tonight," Olivia whispered during a document exchange. "Nathan's picking us up."

Evelyn nodded absently.

Olivia's gaze caught on the damaged brooch. "What happened?"

Though not valuable, Evelyn had cherished this piece since adolescence—the sole contents of a keepsake box Olivia had glimpsed years ago.

"A child grabbed it," Evelyn lied smoothly. "Wouldn't let go."

"Ugh, spoiled brats." Olivia shook her head sympathetically before returning to work.

Evelyn's fingers traced the twisted metal thoughtfully.

At day's end, Nathan waited outside in his new car—a post-business trip indulgence.

"Sorry about today," he murmured, holding the door open.

Olivia departed in her own vehicle while Evelyn slid into the passenger seat. Silence stretched during the drive to the Kensington residence.

Nathan's parents greeted them personally at the curb.

"You shouldn't have come down!" Evelyn protested.

Patricia Kensington squeezed her hand. "We missed you!"

"Mom's fonder of you than Nathan is!" Olivia teased.

Nathan lingered behind, fingers clenched around a velvet ring box in his pocket. This proposal felt like a gamble—he couldn't predict Evelyn's reaction.

Their relationship had always existed in this uncertain space.

And uncertainty made his palms sweat.