"I wasn't looking," Ivy continued quickly.
"Someone bumped into me and I just…..I'm really sorry, I'll pay for the cleaning, I swear."
I pushed through the small crowd without thinking.
"Ivy."
Her head snapped toward me like she'd been holding her breath this entire time. Relief flooded her face instantly.
"Elaine."
I stepped between her and the man without hesitation, my body acting before my mind caught up.
"It's fine," I said, glancing briefly at the spill. "We'll cover it."
The man hadn't said a word yet.
That alone made my skin prickle.
I looked up.
And everything in me went absolutely still.
I'd seen pictures. Everyone had. Magazine covers. Business articles. Blurry shots taken from across streets or behind tinted windows.
None of them did him justice.
Zane Whitmore didn't look irritated. Or amused. Or impressed like how the tabloids made him out to be.
He looked....absolutely breathtaking.
His gaze settled on my face with unnerving precision, dark eyes sharp and assessing. Not lingering inappropriately just… watching.
Something in my chest tightened.
"I didn't realize this booth was occupied," I added calmly, turning fully toward him. "We'll get out of your way."
Before he could respond, a security guard appeared at my side.
"Miss," the guard said firmly, placing a hand out to stop me. "This area is restricted."
I frowned. "We're leaving."
He didn't move. "This is Mr. Whitmore's section."
The name landed like a dropped glass, I knew it was him but having the confirmation was shit.
Zane Whitmore.
I kept my expression neutral by sheer force of habit, even as my heart started pounding.
Zane's gaze flicked to the guard. "It's fine."
The guard hesitated, then stepped back.
Zane turned his attention to Ivy, who looked like she might faint. "Are you alright?"
She nodded too quickly. "Yes. I mean…..no, I mean yes. I just..."
"Ivy," I said gently, placing a hand on her back. "Breathe."
She did so shakily.
"I'm really sorry," she said again, looking at Zane. "I didn't mean to spill anything on you."
He glanced down at his jacket, then back at her. "It's replaceable."
That wasn't what he said that mattered.
It was how he said it. Falt and controlled. Like money wasn't something that ever crossed his mind as a concern.
I felt something settle in my stomach.
"You shouldn't apologize so much," he added. "It was an accident."
Ivy nodded, clearly overwhelmed.
Zane's gaze shifted back to me.
"And you are?"
I hesitated for half a second.
Long enough to feel the weight of the lie forming before I decided against using it.
"Elaine," I said. "Her cousin."
Something subtle changed in his expression.
Not surprise.
Recognition.
"Hartwell," he said slowly.
My spine stiffened.
"Yes."
His eyes held mine for a moment longer than necessary. I felt pinned in place, like he could see the calculation happening behind my eyes.
"I was told Miss Hartwell here would be joining me tonight," he said.
My pulse spiked. Shit fuck! Fuck! Fuck!!Please don't tell me he was supposed to be Ivy's blind date. I silently prayed to whatever gods up there and listening.
Ivy stiffened beside me. "Uhm what?."
I cut in smoothly. "Plans changed."
Zane tilted his head slightly, studying me now with open interest. "They usually do."
I swallowed.
This wasn't how I planned to meet him.
But then again, nothing about tonight had gone according to plan.
"I think," I said carefully, "we will be heading out now, I apologize for ruining your suit, this was a mistake."
"Perhaps," he replied. "Or perhaps you arrived exactly where you were meant to, as my date."
That sent a chill down my spine but irritation replaced it quickly.
I directed my irritation at him. "Who the fuck takes their first date to a club." He looked surprised for a second then he smirked, not answering my question.
I glanced at Ivy. She looked small and uncertain.
And in that moment, my decision solidified completely.
I turned back to Zane. "Would you mind if I spoke with you privately?"
One of his brows lifted. "About?"
"About the misunderstanding " I said evenly. "And how to correct it."
He studied me for a long moment.
Then he nodded once.
"Sit," he said, gesturing toward the booth.