The glasses kept clinking. The champagne never seemed to stop.
Parker lost count after his fifth glass—maybe sixth. Definitely more than the one he'd agreed to.
The room had taken on a surreal warmth. Music low, smooth, just a bass thump under the hum of voices. His body felt lighter, his head a little heavier. He was buzzed, that sweet spot where everything was too funny, and the teasing had escalated from clever quips to straight-up roasting.
"Who even gets that serious reading contracts?" Ava teased, refilling his glass—again.
Parker squinted at her. "It's called not getting screwed in a deal. Some of us read before we sign shit."
Claire snorted. "Okay, lawyer boy—relax. It's your own legal team here. What do you think we're gonna do? Sue you for fun?"
Alina grinned. "Ooo, we could totally fake bill him for the extra champagne. Professional hazard."
Parker rolled his eyes but couldn't fight the grin spreading on his lips.
And then he caught it—again. Eyes.
From across the lounge, men were staring. Not in the casual, curious way people did when they recognized someone. This was sharper. Jealous. A few shifting in their seats, eyeing him like they couldn't quite figure out how a kid was here—tipsy, sharp-dressed, with four stunners practically orbiting him.
One guy whispered to his friend, glancing Parker's way.
'Yeah, don't keep staring,' Parker thought, feeling that heat hit his chest. He didn't know if it was the alcohol or the attention, but damn if it didn't feel...good. Powerful but out of his usual character.
Ava leaned closer, laughing at something Claire said, but her eyes drifted back to Parker.
The brush of her fingers on his wrist. Barely there, but it lingered.
"Hey—" Ava's voice dropped, softer now, her lips curling into a lopsided smile. "I gotta say, you clean up...damn well, Parker."
Their eyes met—too long.
The music felt quieter.
The warmth hit different now.
Ava's head tilted, just enough to make him notice.
Parker's pulse kicked. His mouth opened, words almost there—
Cassidy's voice cut clean through the moment, the toast loud enough to shatter whatever the hell was building.
She raised her glass, eyes locked on his, and the whole table paused. "To Parker—the kid who grew up into a damn powerhouse."
There was teasing in her voice, but something else too. Her gaze lingered—longer than it should. Ava blinked, pulling back slightly. Claire shot Alina a did you see that? look.
Cassidy's smirk didn't falter. "Just...don't forget where you started, Parker, your goals and aspirations."
Parker felt his stomach twist, not in a bad way, but like someone had just called him out—like Cassidy wasn't just talking about the deal but him.
He swallowed, raising his glass. "Wouldn't dream of it."
The toast went up, the champagne flowed again, but that tension?
The night was in full swing now. The champagne had done its job, blurring the edges of Parker's focus, but not his awareness. The music stayed low and smooth, the perfect soundtrack for the exclusive hum of wealth filling the Empire Room.
Drifting in like she owned the place.
Blonde. Skin-tight champagne dress. Bold red lips. The kind of smile calibrated for the cameras already flashing as she passed the bar. Madison Hale. Social media royalty. Millions of followers. A TikTok queen turned lifestyle influencer who practically trended for breathing.
She wasn't just known—she was the type to get paid for showing up.
And the moment her sharp eyes caught Parker—seated with four older, powerful-looking women, all nursing high-end drinks—it was game on.
'The fuck?' Her brain worked fast. 'Young. Rich. Hot. And... with aunties? Oh, this was too easy.' She could almost hear the headlines. Taking the billionaire baby under her wing.
Adjusting her posture, Madison made her move.
"Hey there, handsome."
Parker blinked, head tilting as she slinked closer, leaning over the bar just enough to flash a teasing glimpse of cleavage.
"You look kinda bored over here with...them." She flicked her gaze toward Ava, Cassidy, Claire, and Alina—offhand, dismissive, like they were background furniture. "What, did they drag you here for a study group or something? 'Cause I could show you a real night in New York."
The confidence was off the charts. A younger Parker might've blushed. Hell, half the men in the room were already gawking at her audacity.
But Parker just blinked—more confused than flustered. "Uh...we're good, thanks—"
"We?" She grinned wider, leaning closer. "C'mon, let loose a little. I'm Madison, by the way. Maybe you've heard of me? Insta? TikTok? Or maybe you don't get out much, huh?"
"Not at all!" He answered.
Cassidy shifted in her seat.
She'd been quiet all night, playing cool, letting Parker enjoy his moment—his win. But watching this...this clout chaser swoop in? The way she dismissed them like they were just accessories in Parker's world?
The predator but protective instincts kicked in.
She set her glass down with a soft clink.
"Sweetheart, do you always introduce yourself like you're a limited-time offer?" Cassidy's voice was silky, but razor-sharp.
Madison blinked. "Excuse me?"
Cassidy didn't even stand, didn't raise her voice—just tilted her head, voice calm but cutting. "We get it. You're...what, famous for doing makeup tutorials and dancing in your kitchen? That's cute. But this? This table is a little out of your league, honey."
Ava nearly spat out her drink. Claire grinned. Alina murmured a low, "Damn."
Madison's jaw dropped. "I—Excuse me? Do you even know who I—"
"Yeah." Cassidy's smirk sharpened. "We just don't care."
Parker blinked. Damn. He hadn't seen Cassidy pull that heat since—since she had to shut down bullies when he was a kid that day in Korea. Well, she had practically saved the bullies from Parker.
Madison sputtered, face flushing under her makeup as she backed off, her energy turning sour real fast.
"Yeah, well...enjoy your book club, I guess," she muttered, turning back toward the VIP bar with a dramatic hair flip.
The second she was out of earshot, Ava whistled low. "Damn, Cassidy. Vicious."
Cassidy shrugged, swirling her glass. "Somebody had to do it." But her gaze flicked to Parker, softer. Protective.
Parker cleared his throat, leaning closer. "Uh...thanks. I guess."
Cassidy arched a brow. "Guess? I just saved your ass from a viral disaster, kid. You're welcome."
They all laughed, but under the jokes, Parker felt it.
That same heat he'd felt before.
Cassidy wasn't just protecting him from some influencer. She was protecting him. And damn if it didn't hit different now.