"What do you think?" Rupert Garcia caught her hand, his gaze darkening. "Keep your hands to yourself."

"Oh,e on. Who''s watching?" Sylvia Lloyd rose up on her toes, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Almost at the same time, Rupert gently gripped her chin, pulling her closer. Hisughter rumbled low in his throat.

"Sylvia, your acting''s finally improving, but do you really think I care if anyone sees?"

Before she could reply, he kissed her.

Sylvia froze, then blurted out, "Ms. Sanford."

Rupert stopped, letting her go.

Sylvia was caught betweenughing and crying. She brushed hispel, smoothing it out. "Mr. Rupert, you''ve got hair on your jacket."

She looked up at him with a smile, her tone light but edged. "Mr. Rupert, if you can''t give someone everything, maybe don''t get involved at all. Otherwise... well, you never know what people might do when they''re pushed to the edge."

She took advantage of Rupert''s momentary surprise, pushed past him, and slipped out of the stairwell.

Just as she reached the door to the VIP lounge, Lester Sanford and Reese Sanford were stepping out.

Reese paused, eyebrows raised. "Sylvia, are you okay? You look awful."

Sylvia wanted to say she was fine, but herposure was crumbling. She stood there awkwardly, twisting her hands together.

Reese seemed to notice, ncing down-and caught sight of something on Sylvia''s sleeve, her expression flickering.

Before she could say anything, Lester reached out and covered Sylvia''s arm with his hand.

"Let''s get you some fresh air."

Reese nodded, stepping aside. "You two go ahead. I''ll wait for Mr. Rupert."

Sylvia pressed her lips together, barely managing to hold back her difort as she turned and headed outside with Lester.

Once they were out, she finally noticed some tobo shreds clinging to her sleeve.

She looked at Lester, flustered. "This is just "

Lester cut her off with a gentle smile. "Sylvia, I''m not here to interrogate you. I just don''t think Yves Hanson is someone you should get mixed up with. There''s something off about him."

Sylvia took a breath, gathering her courage. "And what about Ms. Winslet? Don''t you find her a little... weird?"

"You mean how she''s way too invested in your wedding?" Lester replied, hitting the nail on the head.

See? Everyone could tell Kay Winslet had it out for her.

Everyone except Rupert, who insisted on putting up with it.

Why bother?

Sylvia nodded slightly, searching Lester''s face to gauge his reaction before saying anything more.

Lester''s smile tingered, his voice

soft. "My mom died when I was old enough to understand. And, you Dad always kept

know I''m a gyarm''s length. So

me and my aunt at

really, all I feel for Kay is gratitude. I appreciate the way she''s been there for Reese, giving her things a bunch of guys like us never could."  s

Just a few sentences, but they made his rtionship with Kay clear.

Grateful, but not family.

But he cared about Reese.

Sylvia nodded, understanding. After a moment, she said quietly, "I don''t want to

hurt anybody, you know. You can trust me."

Lester sighed, lifting a hand as if to touch her cheek, but in the end, just tucked a

stray lock of her hair behind her ear.

"Sylvia, I''m just afraid you''ll end up hurting yourself."

Sylvia looked up sharply, catching his gaze.

He was smiling, his eyes calm and warm, a hint of old affection in their depths. The breeze stirred between them, and for a second, it felblike a dream.

s

Sylvia parted her lips, about to speak, when footsteps sounded. She immediately stepped back, polite andposed.

Reese appeared, her arm looped through Rupert''s, chatting with Kay as they exited.

Nearby, the Hanson family-mother

and son-looked less than pleased.fn02c3 Chapters first released on ?ovelFind/fn02c3

Yves in particr shot Sylvia a nce that could have curdled milk.

s

He didn''t say much, just exchanged a few perfunctory words before ushering Mrs. Hanson out.

He didn''t spare Sylvia a single word, as though they were only there for Reese''s wedding dress fitting.

Sylvia didn''t bother engaging with them, just watched them leave, and turned to go herself.

"I''ll walk you out," Lester offered.

Sylvia nodded. "Thanks."

She followed Lester outside, but couldn''t shake the feeling of someone''s eyes lingering on her, heavy and unrelenting.