Love and illusion

a low hum of admiration filled the air. Tonight's charity ball was the season's social event, vying for the city's most pow

is envious couple: Alex

ight amount of firmness - not too tight, not too loose - just the right degree between possession and gentleness. Mia wore a

perfect success story, to the wo

ts and rehearsed smiles, Mia se

gerin

was gradual - a slow creeping shadow she'd been willing to overlook for too l

it was imposs

darting to his phone more than he usually did. And when he murmured sweet words in her ear, there

here w

ick red dress, her long brunette hair draping over one shoul

ways hovering on the sidelines, alwa

She wasn't

the briefest of moments something pa

ing in

tomach

nds with an investor. "Who is that woman?" Her voice

er at Rachel. "She's

s too quick.

that sam

hotness of

ly Timed

follow up, though

e auditorium. "How about we celebrate generosity, love, and the power of giving tonight. But no couple personifies these va

ss them, and the ballr

ng her waist. Mia gasped. He kissed her templ

e a perform

spered through her pained smile, "Why do I

hen leaned in and whispered into her ear, "Because

othing. But Mia

eep down,

was terr

l Chink in

st aside. Perhaps she was simply imagining things. Perhaps she was readin

hours later, as they pulled back into thei

nknotted his tie, phone clutched in his han

she

n the nightstand. A messa

e amazing tonight. She

reath h

s turned

sion she had relied on for s

lay for the phon