For three days, nothing changed between them—and everything did. They circled each other in Duke’s apartment, sharing meals, watching old movies, talking until late into the night. Touching, but not too much. Casual brushes of hands, shoulders bumping, sitting close on the couch.
A tension built, sweet and maddening, neither willing to shatter the fragile peace they’d found.
On the fourth day, news came. Duke’s lawyer friend called with an update on the SEC investigation. They had enough to clear Valentina, to prove the accounts were opened without her knowledge or consent. James was being investigated instead.
“It’s over,” Duke said, hanging up the phone. “You’re in the clear.”
Valentina stood frozen in his kitchen, disbelief warring with relief. “Really?”
“Really.” His smile was gen
