“How long have you been standing?”
The question surprised me so completely that I almost tilted the tray.
“Since four.”
His eyebrows lifted.
“And when did you last eat?”
I forced a smile.
“I’m fine.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
I stared at him.
Most guests barely noticed the people serving them.
Russell noticed too much.
A few minutes later, he spoke quietly to the catering captain.
No argument.
No dramatic display.
He simply arranged for me to take a break.
Then he pulled a chair behind a decorative column where guests wouldn’t see me resting.
“You look like you might faint,” he said.
“I’m not going to faint.”
“Excellent. Then sitting down should be easy.”
I laughed despite myself.
And somehow, that was how it began.
Part 2 — The Offer I Couldn’t Pretend Was Romantic
Russell stayed near me during my break.
We talked.
Not about anything important at first.
