Chapter 11

Noah watched Chloe through the window, a flicker of something he couldn't quite name tightening his chest. He pushed the feeling aside, deciding it was best to keep his distance and maintain the cold equilibrium of their arrangement. There was no point in complicating things. Downstairs, Chloe grabbed her helmet and wheeled her e-bike out. She swung her leg over the seat and twisted the throttle, zooming toward the gate. A sleek black car began pulling out of the driveway at the same moment. Chloe squeezed the handbrakes, the tires skidding slightly on the pavement as she narrowly missed the sedan's front bumper. She caught a glimpse of Noah behind the tinted glass, but she didn't linger. With a quick wave of apology, she zipped past and sped toward the shop, the morning wind whipping against her face. She arrived at the storefront in record time, the bell over the door chiming as she stepped inside. Hannah was already there, leaning over the counter with a box of colorful pastries. "Did you eat breakfast?" Hannah asked, looking up with a bright smile. "I did, thanks," Chloe said, setting her bag down behind the counter. "Well, you need room for these. My mom sent over these lemon tarts and chocolate eclairs. They're too good to waste." Hannah pushed the box toward her, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "By the way, did you see that car down the street? A Monarch. I caught a glimpse of it on my way in." Chloe nodded, smoothing her apron. "I saw it. Hard to miss a car that looks like it belongs in a museum." "Did you see who was inside?" Hannah leaned in, her chin resting on her hand. "I bet it's someone incredibly wealthy. Maybe even someone famous." Chloe shrugged, her expression blank. "I didn't really look. I was too busy making sure I didn't hit it with my bike." Hannah let out a loud laugh, the sound echoing through the quiet shop. "You're the only person I know who wouldn't care about a billionaire in a Monarch. You probably think he's just another guy with a fancy steering wheel. It's like those CEO romance novels my aunt reads. The mysterious man in the back seat, the poor girl on the bike… it's a classic trope!" "Life isn't a novel, Hannah," Chloe said, her voice matter-of-fact as she began organizing the display cases. "People in cars like that don't look out the window at people like us. They're usually on their phones or looking at spreadsheets. Besides, I've got a shop to help run and a husband at home. I don't have time for story plots." Hannah sighed, picking up a tart. "You're so practical it hurts. Speaking of plots, my family is throwing a high-society dinner party tonight. You're coming with me." Chloe paused, a stack of napkins in her hand. "A dinner party? Hannah, you know that's not my scene. I don't belong at those kinds of events. I'll just stay here or go home and catch up on some reading." "Oh, come on," Hannah pleaded, her tone turning more honest. "I really don't want to go alone. My mother has been on my back for weeks about this. She's obsessed with the idea of me 'mingling' with the right crowd." Chloe looked at her friend, noting the genuine stress in her eyes. "Is she putting that much pressure on you?" "It's constant," Hannah admitted. "And it's not just her. My Aunt Sarah got involved. She's the one who pulled strings to get the invitation through her husband's connections. She thinks she's doing me a favor by introducing me to eligible bachelors from the city's top families. It's exhausting. I just want to be able to choose my own life without a committee deciding who I should dance with." Chloe leaned against the counter. She understood the desire for independence; it was the driving force behind her own refusal to take Noah's money. She wanted to stand on her own feet, just as Hannah wanted to breathe without her mother's hand on her shoulder. Hannah paced a small circle behind the register. "And the worst part is the philosophy they try to drill into me. They truly believe you should never marry outside your social class. Aunt Sarah is the poster child for it. She married into wealth and spent the last twenty years trying to prove she belongs. She's always telling me how hard it is to bridge the gap if you don't start on the same level. She thinks she's protecting me, but she's just projecting her own insecurities." Chloe remained silent, thinking of her own marriage. She was a shop worker; Noah was… well, whatever he was, he was clearly operating on a different financial plane. "Please, Chloe," Hannah said, her voice turning urgent. "The food is going to be incredible. We're talking professional chefs, five courses, and a dessert table that will make these eclairs look like cardboard. Plus, think of it as a social experiment. You can watch all those rich people act ridiculous while we hide in the corner and eat our weight in shrimp cocktail. It'll be an experience!" Chloe shook her head, but she could feel her resolve slipping. Hannah was a strong advocate for her own freedom, but she was also a master of persuasion. "Fine," Chloe said after a long silence that stretched into nearly an hour of Hannah's relentless bargaining. "I'll go. But I'm not wearing a ballgown." "Yes!" Hannah cheered, pumping her fist. "Don't worry about the clothes. Just come as you are, or close enough. We'll make it work." Once the decision was made, Chloe stepped into the back room to make a quick phone call. "Hey, Olivia," Chloe said when her sister picked up. "How's the little guy doing?" "His fever broke this morning," Olivia replied, her voice sounding tired but relieved. "He's sleeping now. What's up?" "Hannah's dragging me to a fancy dinner party tonight," Chloe said. "Her family is making her go, and she doesn't want to face it alone." "A dinner party? Chloe, that's great!" Olivia's voice brightened. "You need to get out more. Ever since you moved into that big place with Noah, you've been so cooped up. Go, have fun, and tell me everything tomorrow. You deserve a night of fancy food and pretty lights." "I'll try," Chloe said, smiling despite herself. "I'll check in with you later." Just after lunch, the two women decided to close the shop early. The "Closed" sign was flipped, the door locked, and they headed straight to the Sterling residence to prepare. The Sterling family had always adored Chloe; they saw her as a grounding influence on Hannah, someone sensible and hardworking. They knew she was married, a fact that both pleased them for her stability and caused them a bit of secret regret that she wasn't available for one of their own social matches. Inside the Sterling home, the atmosphere was a whirlwind of silk, perfume, and frantic energy. Hannah Sterling, Hannah's mother, was in her element, checking lists and adjusting floral arrangements. When she saw the girls arrive, she hurried over. "There you are!" she exclaimed, looking at her daughter with a critical but loving eye. "Hannah, you need to make sure you actually talk to people tonight. No hiding in the kitchen. There are going to be some very promising bachelors there, including some of the heirs from the Hayes family connections. You must mingle." Hannah rolled her eyes, but her mother turned to Chloe before she could protest. "Chloe, dear, I'm so glad you're here," Mrs. Sterling said, her voice shifting to a tone of deep trust. "Please, keep an eye on her for me. Make sure she doesn't spend the whole night in a corner or, heaven forbid, overindulge at the buffet just to avoid conversation. You're so sensible; I know I can count on you to keep her on track." "I'll do my best, Mrs. Sterling," Chloe said with a reassuring nod. Mrs. Sterling sighed, a look of genuine relief crossing her face. "Honestly, Chloe, you are such a breath of fresh air. I've always appreciated how independent you are. I only wish my daughter had half your focus. It's such a shame you're already taken; I'd have found a dozen men for you tonight." "I'm happy where I am," Chloe said gently. By six in the evening, the sun was beginning to dip, casting long, golden shadows across the Sterling estate. A black sedan was waiting in the driveway. Hannah emerged from her room looking glamorous in a shimmering cocktail dress that caught the light with every movement. She looked every bit the socialite her mother wanted her to be. Chloe, by contrast, had opted for a simple, casual ensemble—a neat blouse and tailored trousers that were respectful but made it clear she was there as a guest, not a participant in the social hunt. "You look great," Hannah teased, giving Chloe a playful nudge toward the car. "Even if you are trying to hide." Mrs. Sterling stood on the porch, waving them off with an expectant smile. Hannah climbed into the back of the sedan, gesturing for Chloe to follow. As the driver pulled away, Chloe looked out the window, watching the familiar streets of Briarwood disappear as they headed toward the more exclusive heights of the city's social elite. ════════════════════════════════════════