her graceful gown. That would be too humiliating.
But he should have known better than to assume anything.
„Zackary a Chancer Invitation
Lindsey had a sense of propriety. Had she been dressed differently, she might have joined the crowd on the dance floor. But her current outfit. didn’t suit the atmosphere, so she resigned herself to being a decoration. one that held a glass of milk. no less.
Just then, the deafening club music suddenly stopped.
The crowd hesitated momentarily before the familiar opening notes of “Careless Whisper” filled the space.
The saxophone’s sultry melody, romantic and elegant, wove through the swaying crowd, adding a deeper layer of intoxicating allure to the air.
Zackary appeared unexpectedly, stopping directly before Lindsey and extending his hand with practiced grace.
“Long time no see, Ms. Oconnell. Might I have the honor of this dance?”
Lindsey remained motionless, leaving the man bent in his awkward position.
“It has been years,” she acknowledged. “I thought you were abroad, Mr. Harvey. When did you return?”
She remembered Zackary well, who was Eliezer’s childhood friend.
Before Jaelyn’s return, Lindsey had frequently attended social gatherings with their circle of young elites, becoming reasonably acquainted with
him.
But later, she was gradually excluded from this social circle during her formative teenage years, and thus, those connections faded naturally.
“I just got back a couple of days ago. I didn’t expect to run into you here.” Zackary replied, his carefree grin undiminished by her cool reception.
“We haven’t seen each other in years. Let’s catch up a bit, shall we? Gabrielle, you wouldn’t deny me this small courtesy, right?”
Before Lindsey could react, Brayden’s cold gaze shot toward them.
He had actually called her “Gabrielle“!
Zackary noticed the piercing look and looked over but found his view blocked as Lindsey stood up
“How touching that you remember the nickname you gave me over a decade ago. It would be rude to refuse this dance.”
She placed her hand in Zackary’s broad palm.
She removed the suit jacket and tossed it toward Brayden with her free hand.
With a sweet yet mischievous smile designed to provoke, she cooed, “I’ll catch up with an old friend first. Be right back.”
Ignoring Brayden’s darkened expression, she followed Zackary toward the dance floor.
The striking pair drew cheers from the crowd.
Zackary had moved abroad after high school, returning only sporadically. His recent romantic conquests had all been bold, blonde girls, nothing like the delicate beauty before him. His large hand hovered uncertainly at her slender waist, his steps slowing down..
“You seem out of practice, Mr. Harvey.”
Lindsey glanced up.
Zackary’s palm burned where it touched her. He stared fixedly at her hair. “It’s been years,” he admitted.
“That makes two of us,” Lindsey smiled. “Between classes and part–time jobs abroad, I never had time to dance. Nor reason to.”
| Djes Joj 100 ejdwrs.
|||||| Chapter 24 Zackary’s Dulce Invitation
She wondered if Zackary had investigated her. Fernando had fabricated her overseas records. Most couldn’t penetrate them, but Zackary might.
Now that he’d returned, he was likely working with Eliezer…
Her indifferent gaze drifted past his shoulder, spotting a familiar figure approaching.
Her feet missed a beat, and a sudden twist of her high heels sent her petite frame tumbling straight into Zackary’s arms.
His burning palms instinctively slid lower down her waist…
Offstage, Eliezer’s dark eyes contracted sharply at the sight.
