"Charlotte, darling!" Margaret pulled her daughter into a hug, but her eyes weren't on Charlotte. They kept snapping back to me like she was trying to memorize the brushstrokes on the Mona Lisa before security dragged her out. "You didn't tell me your business partner was so… impressive."
Translation: why the fuck didn't you warn me this man looks like sin invented a tuxedo?
Charlotte's professional mask cracked just enough to reveal a grin. She was enjoying this. "Mom, this is also Madison Torres—Eros's fiancée."
Madison glided forward like she owned both the runway and the trademark on poise itself. "Mrs. Thompson, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Torres," Margaret repeated, her inner Wall Street shark surfacing. "As in Torres Developments?"
"My family's company, yes."
