Sabine’s hand curled tighter on the edge of the table, fighting the way her heart hiccupped in her chest. He didn’t say anything right away, just nodded once in greeting, then set the drink down beside her stack of contracts.
"Morning," he said, low and warm doing his very best to remain professional.
“Morning,” she managed.
Seconds later, the door opened again.
Corrine.
Sabine could feel the shift in energy before the woman even fully stepped into the room, like someone had opened a window and let in a draft of cold. Corrine’s heels clicked as she walked to Adair’s side without missing a beat, posture perfect, hair sleek, confidence as tailored as her navy dress.
“Morning,” Corrine said brightly, her eyes already scanning the room for introductions to insert herself into. Sabine took a slow breath and shifted into host mode completely ignoring her.
“Adair, I want you to meet Harlan Creed, he’s the CEO of Pillar Grove and amajorpart of this launch.” She turned slightly. “Harlan, this is Adair Dayne, lead counsel from Bennett, overseeing all the legalities on Aderra’s behalf.”
The two men exchanged a firm handshake, cool but respectful. Power recognizing power.
“Pleasure,” Harlan said smoothly, eyes narrowing just a hair. “Been hearing about you.”
“Likewise,” Adair returned, unreadable.
Before the air could settle, Corrine stepped forward, forcing a practiced smile. “I’m Corrine Stroud, co-counsel on the deal. I don’t believe we’ve met yet, Sabine, but I’ve heard plenty.”
Sabine turned, expression neutral. She was mid-inhale to offer a polite if tight greeting when it happened. Corrine took one step forward, right into a sudden, full-body collision.
“Oh!” she stumbled, caught completely off-guard as a figure slid in from the hallway and body-checked her with all the grace of a linebacker in heels.
“Oop—girl, my bad,” Narri said without an ounce of apology. “Your shoulders broad as hell, thought you was one of these strong black mens.”
Sabine blinked and then covered her mouth.
Harlan coughed behind his hand.
Corrine steadied herself, lips pressed into a line. “Excuse me?”
Narri didn’t even look back. She was already gliding to her seat like she hadn’t just made physical contact with Adair’s former mistress. Sabine pressed her fingers into the curve of her waist, turning her face away so the grin couldn’t be seen. She caught Adair’s smirk, though small, tugging just at the corner of his mouth. Harlan looked like he was about to explode with laughter but somehow kept it together.
The only person missing was Malik and that wasn’t by accident. After their last conversation, tense and laced with a tone she didn’t appreciate, she quietly voiced her discomfort to Stephen. Her boss hadn’t pushed back; Malik was reassigned to a different floor by the end of the week. She felt a little guilty—he’d been with Aderra since the coding days but energy mattered more than history and his no longer sat right.
A few weeks later, he resigned from the company completely. Sabine didn’t read too much into it after that. What was done was done.
“Well,” Sabine said, clearing her throat and taking control again. “Now that everyone’s here…”
Maybe Narri had shoved a demon. Maybe Adair remembered small things like her favorite citrus blend. Maybe today—just maybe—was going to go exactly how it needed to.
“Let’s get started,” she said, taking her seat.
“You’ve got the floor, boss.” Harlan leaned back in his chair, relaxed, but dialed in. Still, Adair noticed it. The way he looked at Sabine. The casual ease. The admiration tucked behind each glance. Adair had seen that look before, worn it himself and he could spot it from ten miles away.
He didn’t like it.
Not the smiles they shared.
Not the soft familiarity in their interactions.
Not how comfortable another man looked aroundhis wife.
“Thanks,” she nodded.