Chapter 19

Elliot was in a foul mood. The whole night had been one annoying thing after another. But the real kicker wasn't seeing Charisse show up with Clayton or even the call from his mother. No, what set him off was hearing from Julian that the server from the presidential suite was about to get canned—and then, like he was under some damn spell, he rushed back instinctively, like he could fix something. The fact that his body moved before his brain even processed it only made him more irritated. And for what? He was being ridiculous—no one asked for help, no one needed saving. She was doing just fine—standing tall, eyes narrowed, stabbing her terrified coworker with sharp, cold words that hit like daggers. So smug, so composed. The pathetic scene he'd expected didn't exist at all. Instead, it dragged up memories of the old Charisse—the bratty, spoiled girl who used to trample over everything and everyone without blinking. And now, the confidence she carried? Came straight from his uncle. Yea