Chapter 14

“Yeah, I’ve been a fan since high school,” Jenna said, her eyes practically glowing with hero-worship vibes. “You were my idol. Still are. You’re why I even got into design.”

Brynn blinked, legitimately stunned. Her assistant—her right-hand woman for years—had been a fan since way back? She didn’t see that one coming.

“So I’m not fazed by hard work or a blank slate,” Jenna went on, her voice solid and real. “I just want to stick with you and make it work. I’ve got your back.”

“Thanks…” Brynn’s throat caught, hit by a wave of emotion she wasn’t ready for. “For real. I had no clue someone’s been in my corner since high school. Jenna, we’re doing this—we’re going to crush it.”

Jenna’s face lit up like she’d just unwrapped the best gift ever. She got it—Brynn was letting her in, like they were family.

“Hell yeah,” she said, nodding with a big grin.

Once Jenna slipped out, Brynn’s thoughts about going solo snapped into focus. She kicked back, brain buzzing. What used to be a fuzzy idea was now a straight-up plan. She clenched her fist, locking it in. Jenna believed in her—she couldn’t flake on that. Brynn made a quiet vow to herself.

“Have to pile up some cash and cred before I ditch the Everett Group,” she mumbled under her breath.

With that, she snagged her phone, scrolling through her contacts. Her thumb paused over a name she knew well, then tapped call. It barely rang before the line clicked. The guy was clearly waiting on her.

Before he could say a word, Brynn jumped in, “Lennon, got any jobs lined up? I’ve got some free time coming.”

The voice on the other end erupted like a kid on a sugar high. “Are you serious? Everyone else might be screwed, but for you, Ms. Vera Stitch? I’ve got gigs coming out my ears!” Lennon Porter was basically yelling, “Holy crap, I’ve been losing it—your waitlist’s packed to, like, FOREVER!”

Brynn’s brows shot up. “That many, huh?”

“You don’t even know,” Lennon said, nodding so hard she could almost hear it. “And that’s with me holding it back! You’ve been all ‘one job a month’ on me, or I’d have blown up your phone way sooner.”

“Your embroidery’s popping off, Brynn—people are hooked. If I didn’t play bouncer, we’d be booking into the next decade.”

Brynn didn’t realize it’d blown up like that. A surprised little laugh slipped out as she chewed on it. She figured her stuff would get some buzz, but this? She rubbed her neck, smirking a bit.

“Yeah, uh, I’ve been slammed,” she said, coughing to dodge a pinch of guilt. “But I’ve got some wiggle room now. I can take on more.”

“Sweet lord, yes!” Lennon sounded like he’d won the lottery. “How many we talking? I’ll juggle the rest.”

Brynn thought for a second. “I can handle maybe a dozen or so,” she said, keeping it cool.

A dozen? Lennon almost choked. He’d been hoping for three, four if he was lucky. He was grinning like a fool. But then his gut kicked in, and he frowned. Something felt off.

“Wait a sec, Ms. Vera Stitch—since when are you this hyped? You’re throwing me off here,” he asked.

Brynn laughed, leaning into the jab: “Oh, didn’t I mention I got hitched. Married a guy, got a kid in the package. Got to pay the bills now, you know?”

“Wait, huh?” Lennon froze, gears grinding. From her tone, it sounded like she’d hooked up with some divorcee. He squinted, picturing a scruffy, lazy dude leeching off her, kid tagging along.

“Don’t tell me some deadbeat sugar baby conned you into marriage,” Lennon said, his voice laced with concern.

Brynn busted out laughing, ready to clear it up, but when she looked up, she caught Dominic’s deep, steady gaze locked on her from the doorway. She’d had the call on speaker, and every word had drifted right to him, loud and clear. He leaned there, smirking quietly.

Brynn’s face flared up. She scrambled with her phone, smacking the end button like it was an emergency.

“Uh, my friend didn’t mean it like that…” she mumbled, tossing Dominic a sheepish glance, her voice a little shaky.

Dominic just laughed, totally cool with it. “A kept man, huh? Sounds kinda nice.”

“Huh?” Brynn blinked, staring at him like he’d sprouted horns.

He strolled in, closing the distance between them. “Didn’t you just say you’re pulling in big money now? I’m not against getting pampered a bit.”

Brynn narrowed her eyes at him, testing him out. “You’re… not pissed?” Most dudes would lose it if someone called them a mooch, she thought, thrown off.

“Why would I be?” Dominic said, a small grin tugging at his mouth as he stopped in front of her. “My wife wants to bankroll me? I’m stoked. Shoot, if work ever gets old, I could kick back early and…” He leaned in, his voice dropping low and rough. “Spend some real quality time enjoying married life with you.”

The deep, warm hum in her ear sent a blush racing up Brynn’s cheeks. She flicked her eyes away, suddenly way too aware of him. Married life. Yeah, that didn’t sound all sweet and innocent, she griped to herself.

“Ahem.” She gave him a little push, dodging the flirty vibe. “What are you doing here anyway?”

“Came to grab my wife after work, duh.” Dominic said, smooth as ever.

Brynn froze for a second, caught off guard. She glanced up at the clock. Six-something already.

“Whoa, it’s that late?” she muttered. Peeking through the glass, she saw the office was dead—her team had cleared out, leaving it quiet and empty.

Chapter 11

“Alright, let’s head home then,” she said, snagging her coat and starting for the door.

“Who said anything about home?” Dominic raised an eyebrow, stepping in her way. “Sure, our wedding was quick and dirty, but we still deserve a little party.”

Brynn tilted her head, intrigued. “You mean…?”

He grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the exit. “I’m taking you out to celebrate.”

She glanced at him, a warm little glow starting in her chest. This “discount husband” of hers was turning out to be a softie. A tiny smile snuck onto her lips.

“Cool. Dinner’s on me, then,” she said with a grin.

Dominic gave her a look, one brow popping up. “Your husband’s got enough cash to cover a meal, thanks.” Husband. The word—still so new, so strange—hit her like a jolt, warming her ears. She ducked her head to hide it.

A minute later, she was hopping into Dominic’s car. They rolled right into Portmare’s flashy downtown, pulling up outside a ritzy joint that screamed big bucks.

Brynn was a bit surprised to see the place. The Caviar Crown—Portmare’s legendary private chef spot, famous for insane prices and whispers of ties to Eaglemont’s Johnson family. This wasn’t just pricey—it was bonkers.

Before she could open her mouth, Dominic jumped out, swinging around to her side. He popped the door open, leaning on the frame with a smooth, classy move.

As Brynn climbed out of the car and Dominic started pulling her toward the entrance, she tugged him back.

“Let’s go somewhere else,” she mumbled low. “The food here… it’s all hype. Not worth the cash.” She figured Dominic had never stepped inside this joint and had no clue the tab could buy a small boat.

Before Dominic could say anything, a snarky voice sliced through behind her.

“Well, well, Brynn—when did you get so broke?” Kylie said, arms crossed, oozing sarcasm.

Brynn’s brows scrunched as she turned. There was Kylie, smirking like she’d just hit the jackpot, eyeing Dominic’s back with a smug little twist of her lips.

“Just my luck…” Brynn’s mouth twitched. She grumbled to herself, shaking her head. Of all the spots to bump into Kylie. Total vibe killer.