He walked into the gala with Odette on his arm, greeted two investors he’d spent months trying to impress, and let the photographers catch them together in front of the main entrance.

Odette knew how to move through an evening like this — she smiled at the right moments, remembered names, asked short questions, and knew when to let Crispin dominate a conversation.

He loved it.

“This is what I need,” he said quietly as they crossed toward the ballroom.

Odette smiled.

“Then stop looking like you’re waiting for someone to scold you.” He laughed.