"Pretty well, actually. Yannick has treated me with nothing but kindness. He nned to bring me over to see you today, but when you weren''t here at first, he headed in to work."

She chose those words carefully, hoping to sweep away the old tension that still lingered between the two men.

A flicker-almost irritation-crossed Nichs'' face, though he masked it quickly. "If he treats you well, that''s all that matters."

"Mm." Jocelyn lowered her eyes, then took a half-step back. "If there''s nothing else, I should go."

She needed to let Yannick know she had found Nichs.

Nichs'' voice softened, almost pleading. "It''s been ages since we sat down and really talked. Stay and share a meal with me before you go, will you?"

Jocelyn shook her head. "I''d better not. Yannick is waiting for me toe home."

Nichs arched an eyebrow. "Didn''t you just say he was at work?" He chuckled, gentle yet persistent. "Rx. It''s only dinner-nothing more than a conversation." Cornered by his sincerity, Jocelyn could only nod. "All right."

They walked the short distance to a quiet restaurant.

Inside, Jocelyn selected a bright table pressed against the window-visible to anyone who might pass by. She wanted no misunderstandings.

Nichs studied the deliberate choice, understanding the unspoken fear behind it. A shadow crossed his eyes before he forced it away.

He slid the leather-bound menu toward her. "Go ahead, order."

Without thinking, Jocelyn chose the dishes she used to order for him every day-

his favorites, memorized after years as his assistant. It felt as natural as breathing.

Nichs tilted his head. "Don''t you have anything you yourself like?"

She blinked, caught off guard. "I''m easy. I''ll eat whatever''s served."

Nichs tapped a long finger against the menu, hesitated, then told the waiter, "Bring every signature dish you have."

Only a moment earlier, he had realized, with a small shock, that he did not know Jocelyn''s taste in food at all.

"Of course, sir," the waiter said, jotting notes before vanishing toward the kitchen.

Jocelyn shifted, hands folding in herp. "Mr. Nichs, you didn''t have to go to this trouble. I''m really not picky."

Nichs poured hot coffee into a delicate porcin cup and set it gently before her only then filling one for himself. Steam curled upward between them, carrying an unspoken apology neither quite knew how to voice.  s

Nichs'' tone was gentle yet firm. "You''re not my assistant anymore. We''re friends now, or at least I hope

ve can be So stop taking care of

we can

me the old way-don''t feel you have to shield me from everything."  s

For a heartbeat, Jocelyn just stared at him, surprised by the boundary he had drawn. But her expression did not alter. She dipped her chin in a calm professional nod, the gesture she had practiced a thousand times.  s

"All right," she murmured.fne089 Fresh chapters posted on FindN0vel/fne089

Nichs watched the movement of her shoulders, sensed the set of her spine,

and understood she would keep looking after him anyway.

Nichs lifted the cup and brought the coffee to his lips.

His eyes stayed on the swirling steam. "Jocelyn,tely I keep dreaming-

dreaming of the old days," he said, voice roughened by memory.

Jocelyn''s fingers tightened around her ss until her knuckles whitened. The right words refused toe.

Nichs swallowed, Adam''s apple bobbing. "Come back and work with me," he pleaded softly. "I need you-more than you know."

Her gaze fell into the cup. Concentric ripples drifted across the surface, each circle fading just before it touched the rim.

"You''re still angry with me, aren''t you?" Nichs continued, words tumbling out. "I feared Yannick might not truly cherish you, so I had people test him-to help you see him clearly."

Something in Jocelyn''s heart loosened, the knot of resentment slipping one fragile thread.

Slowly, Nichs drew a sleek card from his jacket andid it on the table, the gold foil catching the afternoon light.

Jocelyn''s brows knitted. "Mr. Nichs, what is this?" she asked, genuine confusion swimming in her eyes.

"It''s yours," Nichs said after a breath. He hesitated, then added, "The Hayes family isn''t any ordinary family. When you marry in, you''ll need your own resources so no one can push you around."

His reasoning jabbed at her like a pin. An ache spread quietly through her chest.

"Thank you, Nichs. Really, thank you," she whispered.

"You don''t have to thank me," he murmured with fragile warmth. "I only want to see you well."

Jocelyn slid the card back toward him. "But I can''t take this. I understand the gesture, but I truly can''t ept the money."