Friday nights were supposed to be for rest. For movie marathons with Maya, oversized hoodies, and cheap pizza. But instead of curling up on the couch, I found myself standing in front of my mirror, tugging nervously at the hem of a dress I never thought I’d wear.

“Stop fidgeting,” Maya scolded, leaning against the doorway with her arms crossed. “You look stunning. Like, jaw-dropping stunning.”

I turned, flushing. “It’s too much. This is a corporate party, not a runway show.”

“Exactly,” she said, smirking. “Which means half the people will show up in boring black suits and stiff dresses. You? You’ll be the one he notices.”

My chest tightened. “Maya…”

“What?” she asked innocently.

“He’s not going to notice me. He doesn’t notice anyone like that.”

But even as I said the words, I remembered the way Ethan had looked at me in the elevator, the softness in his voice when he told me I’d do well. And it scared me how much I wanted to believe Maya was right.

“Trust me,” Maya said, pushing me toward the door. “He’ll notice.”

The Blackwood Enterprises annual gala wasn’t held in a ballroom it was held in an entire hotel floor. Glittering chandeliers bathed the room in golden light, crystal glasses clinked, and laughter echoed over the sound of the live orchestra. It was a different world, a world where power was worn like perfume and every smile was sharp as glass.

I clutched my small clutch purse like a lifeline, forcing myself to breathe as I scanned the crowd.

“Aria!”

I turned just in time for Claire, one of the other assistants, to sweep me into a quick hug. “You look amazing,” she gushed, her eyes wide with admiration.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, glancing nervously toward the crowd.

And then I saw him.

Ethan Blackwood stood near the bar, tall and commanding in his perfectly tailored suit, the faint glow of the chandelier catching in his dark hair. He wasn’t smiling, not really, but the corners of his mouth curved faintly as he spoke to a group of executives. Even here, surrounded by people desperate for his attention, he seemed untouchable.

My breath caught.

But before I could look away, I noticed her.

A woman draped in a scarlet dress, clinging to Ethan’s arm with practiced ease. Her laughter was soft and polished, her hand brushing his chest as if it belonged there. My stomach twisted.

Claire followed my gaze and whispered, “That’s Lillian Carter. Her father owns Carter Pharmaceuticals. Rumor is she’s been chasing Mr. Blackwood for years.”

Of course she had. She was perfect. Elegant. The kind of woman who belonged in his world.

I dropped my gaze quickly, hoping no one saw the heat in my cheeks. It wasn’t my place to feel this way. He was my boss. Nothing more.

But no matter how many times I reminded myself, my heart refused to listen.

An hour later, I stood by the refreshment table, sipping champagne far too quickly for my own good. Maya was somewhere on the dance floor, already charming half the HR department, while I hovered in the corner like a misplaced ornament.

I told myself not to look at him. I told myself to focus on the soft music, the sparkling lights, anything else. But my eyes betrayed me.

He was still with her. Lillian. She laughed at something he said, tilting her head in a way that made her earrings sparkle. And then he leaned down, saying something close to her ear.

Something inside me snapped.

I wasn’t sure if it was the champagne, the exhaustion, or the ache of being invisible, but suddenly, the room felt too small. Too loud. Too sharp.

I set my glass down a little too hard and muttered, “I need some air.”

The balcony was cooler, quieter, with only the hum of the city below. I gripped the railing, sucking in breaths of night air.

“Miss Collins.”

I froze. My heart jumped into my throat before I turned slowly.

Ethan stood in the doorway, his hands in his pockets, his eyes fixed on me. The golden light from inside spilled over him, making him look both unreal and painfully real all at once.

“Sir,” I stammered, straightening. “I I was just ”

“Escaping?” His lips twitched slightly. “I noticed.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks. “I didn’t mean to ”

“You’re not the only one who finds these events exhausting,” he said, stepping closer.

I swallowed hard, my back pressing against the railing. “You seemed to be enjoying yourself.”

His brows lifted slightly. “Is that jealousy I hear, Miss Collins?”

My mouth went dry. “No! Of course not. I just I thought ”

He stopped in front of me, so close I could feel the warmth radiating from him. His gaze swept over my face, lingering at my lips before locking onto my eyes again.

“You thought what?” he asked softly.

My heart thundered. The city lights blurred, the music inside faded, and for one dizzying second, it felt like the world had narrowed to just the two of us.

But before I could answer, Lillian’s voice cut through the air like a knife.

“Ethan?”

We both turned. She stood in the doorway, her smile faltering slightly as her eyes darted between us.

I stepped back quickly, my cheeks burning. “I should… I should go.”

Without waiting for his response, I slipped past them, my pulse racing, my chest aching.

Because in that moment, I realized two things:

One, I was hopelessly, dangerously drawn to Ethan Blackwood.

And two, no matter how hard I tried to resist, this was only the beginning.