The next afternoon, Allison''s phone lit up with her dad''s name.

    Her heart skipped a beat.

    Javier had always been dead set against her and Joshua. She''d kept their reconciliation a secret, and now, seeing her dad''s name on the screen, panic fluttered in her chest.

    Did he know? Was this the "I need to talk to you" call?

    Allison''s brain shot into overdrive, scrambling for excuses.

    But when she answered, Javier sounded calm-maybe even cheerful. "Allie, there''s a cocktail party the day after tomorrow. I want you there. I''ll introduce you

    to some business partners-good connections for yourw firm."

    Allison let out the breath she''d been holding. Justworking. No drama.

    "Sure, Dad. What time? Text me the details."

    ...

    On the night of the party, Allison wore an understated ck strapless gown. It was ssic and conservative-elegant without showing much skin.

    Javier moved through the crowd with her, introducing her to CEOs and bigwigs frompanies that worked with Owens International. Most of them were the uncle-and-aunt type, friendly but formal.

    A few sses of wine and a handful of friendly conversationster, Allison had locked in some major cases—each worth a small fortune in legal fees.

    When they''d made the rounds, Javier guided her over to a younger man waiting by the windows.

    Allison''s steps slowed. She recognized him.

    "This is Eason, Uncle Grant''s second son. He just got back from Switzend— he''s the general manager at their familypany now," Javier said.

    Eason looked every bit the ess

    prodigy in his navy suit, hair

    perfectly in ce. He lifted his champagne in greeting, smiling. "We meet again, Ms. Allison."

    "Hi," Allison replied, her tone cooling.

    What was her dad up to? Was this some kind of setup?

    Javier caught the tension but just grinned. "You two know each other?"

    "Sort of," Eason answered. "Brian invited us both to dinner once."

    "Perfect. You two chat-I''ve got something to take care of." And with that, Javier disappeared into the crowd.

    Allison resisted the urge to sigh. She''d thought tonight was about work, not matchmaking.

    Eason was Brian''s college friend, but Allison had mostly kept to herself during school-library days, quiet hangouts with Sabrina and Olivia never the big group dinners. She''d only met Eason for the first time recently, after he''de back and opened his own garden restaurant.

    "Don''t feel pressured," Eason said, offering a genuine smile. "Brian told me you''re

    with Joshua. I won''t say a word to your mom."

    Allison blinked, surprised. "Thanks."

    Eason shrugged, direct and easy. "I''m sure you''ve guessed-our parents are

    hoping we''ll hit it off. This is just a matchmaking thing."

    Allison nodded. "I figured as much."

    He chuckled, a little helpless. "Same on my end. But don''t worry, I''m not about to steal someone''s girlfriend. Let''s Just y along and survive the night."

    Allison couldn''t help but smile, the tension easing just a little. Maybe this evening

    wouldn''t be so bad after all.