The server lingered a moment before leaving, casting a curious nce at Noreen–one that was impossible to miss.


    Once inside, Noreen set the cake down on the table without ceremony and got straight to the point. “The invitation, please.”


    Seth peeled back the cake box at his own pace, pinching off a small piece with his fingers and tasting it. He snorted. “You just grabbed this from some random bakery, didn’t you? Noreen, is that really the best you can do?”


    She didn’t flinch, not even a hint of guilt at being caught. “Of course <i>not</i>! I bought it from that ce you used to love.”


    He’d never really paid attention to her cakes in the past anyway–probably wouldn’t remember the difference.


    Maybe it was her unwavering confidence, but Seth seemed convinced. He let the subject drop and, as promised, handed her the invitation.


    Noreen snatched it eagerly, but her smile froze as soon as she saw what was inside. “Just one?”


    Seth leaned against the kitchen ind, shaking out his damp hair with casual indifference. The robe he wore hung loosely, cor gaping wide. Noreen let her gaze linger a second longer than necessary. Well, if it’s free, why not enjoy the view?


    His tone was still cool, but there was a mocking note beneath it. “That cake you brought is worth one invitation. Understand?”


    Noreen pursed her lips, wanting to argue, but before she could, Seth’s phone buzzed on the table.


    It was Bianca calling,


    Seth answered instantly. His voice softened, warmer than it ever was with Noreen, a smile spreading across his face. “Just got out of the shower. Picked up some cake–want me to bring you some?”


    20.03


    Noreen ground her teeth lightly, then slipped out, leaving the couple to their sweet nothings.


    As she walked out, she ran into the server who’d brought her upstairs. The woman’s surprise was obvious when she recognized Noreen.


    Noreen grinned. “Surprised I’m done already?”


    The server hesitated. “Well… yeah. A little.”


    The next morning, as Seth left for work, the staff were changing shifts. The same server fromst night greeted him with a look that was hard to read–part sympathy, part regret–and once his back was turned, she shook her head in disbelief.


    Such a good–looking guy, and he finished so fast?


    Sophia didn’t turn up until Monday afternoon, ming the dy on work at Aurelion Group.


    “They piled on a bunch of tasks right before I quit–can you believe it? Absolute ve–driving!” sheined, barely through the door before the frustration poured out.


    “You wouldn’t believe how unreasonable Mr. Harcourt is. I told him I was leaving today, and he still made me run around all morning–booking flights, hotels, you name it. It was endless!”


    Noreen raised an eyebrow. “That took you all morning?”


    Sophia huffed, exasperated, “It wasn’t just Mr. Harcourt! There was Director Lowell, Director Lowell’s cousin, and even her cousin’s boyfriend–I had to book flights for all of them! Are you kidding me?”


    “That’s seriously over the line,” Noreen agreed.


    Seth’s devotion to Bianca <b>was </b>truly off the charts.


    “Mr. Harcourt’s going to the ‘Al Leadership Summit: AGI Innovation & Global Expansion, not on some vacation! What are all those people


    <i>213 </i>


    2003


    tagging along for?”


    Something in that sentence made Noreen pause. “Wait–are you saying all those people are going to the Al Summit too?”


    “Yeah, the whole lot! Just from Director Lowell’s team, five or six are going–not to mention her cousin and her cousin’s boyfriend!”


    Wonderful.


    She’d had to beg for a single invitation, like it was some precious handout. But for Bianca, Seth was ready to give away everything he had–heart, soul, and then some.


    Typical.