A Dance with Fate

ce wi

: The Tur

viving on coffee and adrenaline as she juggled vendor contracts, client meetings, and brainstorming sess

n just five days. But there was still one crucial piece missing-Dec

ce with a nervous smile. "Declan Cross is

d up from her laptop

ed to see your office. He said it would

ardly impressive. It was a modest space filled with color-coded binders, framed

ng to smooth out her blazer.

n minutes," S

o clients taking such a personal interest in her process. D

ling slowly. "Let's make

-

red charcoal suit and crisp white shirt were understated y

d, his voice warm a

shaking his hand. "We

tail. "I like it," he said, nodding toward the pinboard.

ntly. "And what d

ntless," he said without hesitation. "All g

aid, though she couldn't stop the corn

ckled. "Go

desk, leaning back with an air of casual

event timelines. She walked him through her vision for the summit, from the

ccasionally offering suggestions. He had an uncanny ability

ation, she looked at him expecta

a small smile playing at his lips. "I think i

relief and pride. "Than

s gaze locking onto hers.

she said. "

d. "I want you to be part of it. You've put so much of yourself into th

'm not sure that's appropriate. I me

d firmly. "You've earned yo

e and almost protective-that made Harper's heart

bout it," she

sk," Declan rep

nd Harper shook it, her pulse q

his lips curving into a faint smile. "But

staring after him, her mind racing wi

-

eplaying her conversation with Declan. His request for her to attend the summit had been unexpect

s exhausted but restless. She decided to tak

Harper found a quiet corner and settled in with a latte and her notebook. She was

eeting y

clan standing by her table

surprised. "What a

e replied, gesturing to the chair a

r a moment before n

he looked in the casual café. His sharp suit and commanding pr

as if reading her mind. "It's one of the few pl

yebrow. "I find th

. Even someone like me need

out everything from work to travel to their favorite books. Harper was surprised by how

his chair, studying her. "You know,

head. "And what

dmitted. "But you're not. You'r

ell, I could say the same about you. You're

low smile. "Careful, Harper.

aking her head.

ifted between them. It wasn't just professional anymore. Ther

t help but wonder if her life was on the ver