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The next morning, Garrett's reply arrived late:

There's a gala next week — I've planned a proposal for you. That should put your mind at rest. Whatever happens between me and anyone else, you'll always be my wife.

I was about to respond when Felix appeared in my office doorway, grinning.

"Before we get into the strategy of putting me on your arm officially," he said, "any chance Holloway's new CEO can buy me a coffee?"

I rolled my eyes and pulled him toward the kitchen.

Inside, a young woman in immaculate make-up stepped forward and extended her hand.

"Miss Holloway. I'm Mr Ashford's executive assistant. Lily Pemberton."

I moved Felix to the other side of the room and didn't take the hand.

Lily's expression shifted. "I just wanted to remind you — it's not appropriate to skip the welcome ceremony and ignore Mr Ashford, and to be seen pulling random people around the office. You're the Holloway heiress. There are standards."

I put my coffee cup into her hands.

"Be a dear and wash this up. Leave it on my desk. Then go stand by Garrett."

"There's nothing here for you."

That was, by any measure, a polite dismissal. Lily, however, looked as if she'd been struck.

"I am an executive assistant," she said, voice climbing, "not your housekeeper."

Garrett appeared at precisely that moment, expression tight. "What's going on?"

I pressed my fingers to my temple.

"I told you to take her to get her head checked. She's been here long enough to know whose name is on the door of this building."

Lily's eyes went red. She reached for Garrett's hand. "I'm fine, Mr Ashford. Miss Holloway's just adjusting. Please don't blame her."

Garrett's eyes moved between me and Felix, who had come straight from a morning run and was still in training kit — conspicuously out of place in a room full of suits.

Garrett's lip curled. "Is this a friend from your travels? Or did you hire him? Don't tell me this is a stunt to wind me up. Get him out of here before people start talking."

He took Lily's hand and left.

Felix made a face behind his back. "He said I looked like a hire. I'll take that as a compliment."

I smiled despite myself.