Chapter 24

The opening was a success.

Of course it was; Anna worked her ass off to make sure it was exactly that.

Even before the night was over, she had caught the attention of an eccentric old man who wanted to be her sponsor and was already talking about expansion and different branches in all areas of New York. Carlton could help her with all the technical details later, but for now, she couldn’t believe her luck.

Trying to rein in her smile for the rest of the occasion, she switched between the kitchen and the main hall, still in her party outfit.

Anna’s eyes flickered over to her friends’ table, where Lloyd was telling a joke that had them all in stitches; she smiled, then her gaze fell on Justin, and she stopped smiling. He wasn’t looking at her.

He was nodding, listening to whatever Charlaine was whispering furiously in his ear. She saw Anna looking at them, and her eyes narrowed. Then she leaned in even more and kissed his cheek, turned his head towards h