Chapter 357

Evelyn froze, caught completely off guard.

Nathaniel's intense gaze never wavered as he murmured, "Get in the car. We shouldn't linger here." Evelyn bit her lip. Was he actually worried about that?

Just another excuse.

She finally slid into the passenger seat. Her fingers fumbled with the seatbelt before clicking it shut. The engine purred to life.

Silence stretched between them during the entire drive back to the penthouse.

Neither mentioned Cassandra Montgomery again.

Evelyn mentally shook herself. This was trivial. Not worth ruining their night over. The competition demanded her full attention anyway - she couldn't afford distractions.

The evening before the event, Nathaniel cornered her in the studio. "You're finishing early tonight." It wasn't a request. "You've been buried in sketches for days. Dinner. Now."

She opened her mouth to protest.

"Consider it a date," he cut in, that familiar stubborn set to his jaw.

Scarlett Restaurant glowed under crystal chandeliers when they arrived.

After dessert, he drove them to the waterfront. Their intertwined fingers swung gently as they walked. The night air smelled of salt and possibility.

Nathaniel suddenly steered her toward a row of trendy bars.

"Let's try this place," he suggested, nodding at a speakeasy-style lounge.

Evelyn hesitated. The bass thumping through the walls made her protective hand drift to her stomach. "Maybe we should just-"

"Five minutes," he bargained, eyes glinting. "Don't you want to see your surprise?"

Before she could respond, his palm covered her eyes. "Trust me," his breath warmed her ear.

They moved through the dim interior. When his hand finally dropped, she blinked at the figure lounging across the velvet booth.

"Charlotte?" Evelyn gasped. "What are you doing here?"

Her best friend smirked, swirling a cocktail. "Your husband flew me first-class to be your competition cheerleader." She fake-gagged. "Disgustingly romantic, really. Should I leave you two alone?"