The chandeliers had been adjusted three times.
The lighting had been dimmed, then brightened, then softened again until it struck exactly the right balance between intimate and impressive. Crystal glasses reflected golden light. Polished marble floors gleamed beneath carefully positioned arrangements of white orchids and deep red roses.
Nothing tonight had been left to chance.
Vance stood near the center of the grand hall, his posture relaxed, one hand casually resting inside his pocket as he surveyed the room like a king admiring his kingdom.
Across from him, Sugar adjusted the thin strap of her dress, her sharp gaze scanning the guests as they filtered in.
"You're staring again," Vance murmured without looking at her.
"I'm assessing," she corrected smoothly.
He smiled faintly. "There's nothing to assess. Everything is perfect."
Her eyes slid toward him. "It has to be."
His gaze finally shifted to her, amusement dancing in his expression. "You doubt me?"
