The Fine Print

ured the final silver clasp on the back of her sleek black dress. It wa

s inten

th a satisfied grin. "You walk into that dining room,

ine bold yet tasteful. Her curls framed her face like soft armor, and the diamond st

t like a tightrope walker with no net. The tightness in her chest wasn't just nerves;

a dinner. It was

d that morning-not as

town. Dinner. Seven sharp

voice that always made her shrink. The voice that reminded

ed to Jasmine as soon as the call ended

mine had replied. "

, cold presence that would shift the entire room without saying much. And if anyo

eks. "Now go shake the table.

edan waited. A chauffeur in a navy sui

ipping his cap. "I'm Hen

lid into the back seat, the

lurs, Henry glanced in

m walking into a room full of expectat

s like they won't k

d slightly. "T

or half a second when the St

alace dressed in restraint. Marble. Glass. Legacy wrapped in minima

, two staffers ope

mith," a butl

eels clicked on polished stone, echoing lik

yes flicked to the dress-one beat too long-bef

crystal glassware, silver cutlery, a chandelier that could power half

kind of man who delivered eulogies and wedding toasts with equal

tepping forward. "Y

f, neutral shake. His fingers were cool, firm. Their

here to b

ner

al glasses. Enough staff

business, politics, Lake Como. It was

was thinking about Operation Freedom. About the scandal Jasmine had mapped out like

she wasn't sure

ed warmly. "Your parents speak highly of you, Leila. Poise

e smile. "That's

th Rise Up-it's been impressive. Y

calm. "I've found impact

slightly. "True. Though I

tement. A quie

simply sipped her wate

culation. He was trying to read her. But she'd spent years p

ersation

n to Lake Como?" M

ven't," L

e," she said with practic

id with a smile tha

"Your father mentioned your interest in

icated. But I believe dialogue m

tic answer

s the most radical act

ed faintly

the main cours

e. Her father nodded through Mr. Stevens's s

d them, but

ner's a costume party. Everyone's playing a pa

ers gently to her la

I want something real. Something that might

laughter around her, a script. She

ud of spun sugar over

ing a charity ball next weekend. I'd

rents

s there a real dance floor, or just enoug

ked-caught

re will be dancing. I

aybe,"

e warning glance. Leila did

nded, James walk

. Breezy. A gentle wind tug

used. "You're... no

m. "You expected

omeone more..

d n

yes. "You're confident. Contro

"Maybe I'm not the gi

aid, "that's

ld. Just... calculated. Like a man who kept ev

e opened the car doo

ing there-expectations

ay, Leila folded her hands. She watch

hey saw me. Bu

he kind that meant I'm

d to burn the whole thing down... or sta

asmine was curled up wit

ked in, she sat up.

pped onto the couch. "It was like

ace. "Ugh. Beige

polite, a littl

did yo

nged him on a few th

d. "My queen.

me to some c

h, f

.. if there's

gasped

ghed, ful

ous now. "But you know this

a no

Jasmine's eyes gleamed. "It was dress rehearsal. Whe

ack against the couch,

yb

ory was already