Jennica had never felt so fabulous. The dress cost more than her annual salary, and her makeup was flawless. Her golden-brown tresses were coiffed to perfection, and she didn't even want to contemplate the jewelry's value—it was probably worth more than her life.

"Voilà, you're done, my little masterpiece," the stylist said with a satisfied smile. "Why don't you go downstairs and show off?"

She lacked the courage to "show off" to the son of one of New York's richest men, so she descended the stairs meekly and silently. Aaron merely nodded, indicating she should follow him.

He remained silent until they'd been in the car for fifteen minutes. "I assume that idiot told you what to expect."

Jennica was startled by his reference to her neighbor as an idiot. "Yes," she replied after a moment. "He told me to smile and nod."

"Precisely. Don't speak unless spoken to. If anyone asks about what you're wearing, I've prepared a list. Memorize it."

He handed her a piece of paper. Her eyes widened; the designers listed were so expensive, so exclusive—she'd never even heard of half of them.

"Have you acted in any significant roles? If so, you may mention them if asked," he said in the same brisk tone.

Jennica felt a chill from his voice. "Um…I was in the Les Misérables movie adaptation earlier this year, singing in the background of a few scenes…and I'm about to become an understudy for an Off-Broadway play in a few months! Rehearsals start next week." She added, "Oh! And I was in a car insurance commercial three years ago."

"It might be best not to mention the car insurance commercial."

Jennica frowned. That had been her big break! It was her first paid gig; everything else had been community theater. The commercial had helped her land various gigs as a movie extra and in small Off-Off-Broadway roles.

She shrugged it off. This man wouldn't understand her world, so there was no point in taking him seriously. She'd do this once, get paid, and never think of it again. Although…hadn't Aiden said he was in love with someone his parents disapproved of? Did that mean she was a "normal, middle-class person"? He'd probably never win her over if he was this snobbish.

She spent the rest of the ride memorizing the list and practicing confident actress mannerisms. Aaron remained silent. He was cold and taciturn.

Jennica was curious what kind of woman this man would fall for, but dared not offend him—she might lose her payment.

The cocktail party was held on a midtown Manhattan rooftop. Twinkling lights strung around trees and poles created a starry sky effect, since city light pollution obscured the actual stars. [Remove the extraneous website advertisement]

She tucked her arm through Aaron's elbow and held her head high. "Actress mode" engaged, she felt confident. She looked as glamorous as anyone there.

"Aaron! I see you found a date after all. Who is this stunning young woman?" asked an elegant woman in her early forties.

"Mother, this is Kimberly Thayne. She's an Off-Broadway actress," Aaron said frostily.

Wow. What a way to speak to his mother! It seemed he barely knew her. Jennica was shocked by his treatment of her and by how young she seemed to be to have a twenty-four-year-old son. She barely registered the fake name.

"I see," the woman replied neutrally. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Please enjoy the party."

After she left, Jennica whispered, "Why do I get the feeling she wasn't happy to meet me?"

Aaron almost smiled, but there was no warmth in it. It was terrifying. "She wants me to marry a socialite. Bringing an actress as a companion is acceptable for this kind of event, but she knows, as I do, that I could never seriously date someone with your career. She's upset I'm not taking things seriously."

"You're still pretty young. Why does she want you to marry so badly?"

His expression darkened. This was clearly a sensitive subject. "It's a status symbol. My parents—my father especially—want me to marry someone who will benefit the Hale family, particularly through a business alliance. They don't care what I think."

No wonder he was paying her. He wanted to protect whoever he truly cared about. But what if she actually accepted him? She would be exposed to his vicious world.

"I'm sorry," she said, unsure what else to say.

Aaron sighed, showing more humanity than before. He seemed tired and sad. "I'm used to it. I'll figure something out. They can't take my happiness away this time."

She wondered about the "this time," but a snobbish-looking woman with raven hair and magnificent sea-green eyes approached. Aaron's demeanor instantly turned cold—the coldest she'd seen all night.