From the moment Jasper walked into the banquet hall, his heart had been beating wrong. Erratic. Restless. He rubbed his thumb along the rim of his glass, wanting nothing more than to leave.
Vivienne noticed the shift in him immediately.
"Do you have any idea what kind of event this is, Jasper? You're going to abandon me here in front of all these people?"
Jasper didn't hear a word. Because he had spotted a figure across the room.
That silhouette was too familiar. The one that haunted his every waking thought, every sleepless night. He could never mistake it.
His heart slammed so hard it nearly lodged in his throat.
Hilda felt the weight of a gaze and turned her head.
Their eyes met.
Hilda startled, quickly averting her gaze.
She'd long since steeled herself for the inevitable reunion with Jasper. She just hadn't expected it to come so soon.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught him trying to move toward her.
Her chest tightened. She stepped back instinctively, and at that exact moment, her father appeared at her side and took her hand.
"Hildie." His eyes crinkled with barely contained joy. "Come on, sweetheart. Let me introduce you to a few of my old friends."