Chapter 10. The Partnership

Julie

The name hits me like a punch to the face. Lucas Martinez? Luke is the CEO of Couture Collective? The biggest fashion company in North and South America? How the hell did I not know this?

I blink, still processing. The air feels like it’s been sucked out of the room for a second, and all I can hear is the rushing sound of blood in my ears. 

But there he is. Sitting casually, grinning, as if he’s enjoying every second of my discomfort. He stands up, extending his hand, his eyes never leaving mine. 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. O’Brien,” he says, his voice calm and collected, but there’s a twinkle of mischief in his gaze. 

I force a smile, slipping into autopilot mode as I shake his hand. Keep it together, Julie. Keep it together. 

“The pleasure is mine, Mr. Martinez,” I reply, my voice just a little too formal. The contact of his hand is warm—familiar. A little too familiar, given the circumstances.<