Niamh never imagined that her reunion with Julian would happen like this.
Julian, too, looked surprised when he saw her.
It had been a while since they last met, and the boyishness that once lingered on Julian’s face had given way to a more mature, charismatic presence. In his tailored suit, he no longer looked like a fresh college graduate, but a man who had already made his mark in the business world.
“Julian, do you know this lady?” Susy Fraser asked, turning toward him.
Julian’s gaze remained fixed on Niamh. His lips parted slightly, as if he was searching for the right words, uncertain and hesitant. He didn’t answer right away.
Instead, it was Peter who stepped in to introduce Niamh to Susy. “Ms. Fraser, this is Niamh–she’s my girlfriend.”
Niamh shot Peter a wide–eyed look, her expression clearly asking why he insisted on introducing her to everyone as his girlfriend.
Julian’s composure slipped for a moment, despite his best effort to appear unaffected. Just a few days ago, Marcus had been dropping hints that Niamh was already married–and to Jonathan, no less.
So, as far as he knew, Niamh and Jonathan hadn’t divorced. Now she was here with
Peter? What did that mean?
Julian clenched his fist, torn between wanting to ask and not knowing how.
A sudden hush fell over the group. Peter, with a careless shrug, added, “Just kidding. She’s a friend.”
Susy glanced at Julian, certain that the tension in his shoulders eased the moment Peter clarified.
“Julian, aren’t you going to introduce me?” Susy prompted him gently.
Snapped out of his reverie, Julian finally spoke. “This is Susy…my fiancée.”
The word “fiancée” caught Niamh off guard.
But she quickly realized she was overreacting. Given Julian’s family background, it was perfectly reasonable for him to be engaged to someone of similar social standing.
Julian, meanwhile, studied Niamh’s expression. The look of surprise on her face
1/2
was fleeting–gone in a heartbeat. Beyond that, she showed nothing. The hope he’d been holding onto dissolved, leaving him quietly disappointed.
Jonathan, too, was watching Niamh.
Nearby, Marina’s palms were slick with sweat. She could see that both Peter and Julian had feelings for Niamh. As for Jonathan, even if he didn’t love Niamh, men had their pride. She worried that if Niamh found herself a new suitor, it might spark Jonathan’s possessiveness.
But…
Jonathan’s dark eyes were unreadable, calm as the surface of a winter sea. There was no telling what he was thinking.
Marina let out a small sigh of relief.
While Niamh and Peter continued their conversation with Julian and Susy, Jonathan had already started walking away.
“Didn’t you want to dance?” he said, drawing Marina’s attention.
He bent his arm, inviting her to take it.
Marina’s spirit lifted as she slipped her arm through his and followed him onto the dance floor.
Clearly, she’d been worrying over nothing–Jonathan seemed utterly indifferent to Niamh.
Marina was a skilled dancer, and so was Jonathan. Together, they moved gracefully
center of in time to the music, their elegant steps quickly making them t. attention.
“Is that Mr. Thomas‘ girlfriend?” someone in the crowd whispered.
“I heard he’s pursuing her,” another replied.
“She’s gorgeous, and what a dancer.”
“I think she comes from a good family too. She and Mr. Thomas went to high school together, and now she’s a jewelry designer. Mr. Lowe is especially taken with her designs–you know he hasn’t praised a newcomer in years. Ms. Thornton is really something.”
