Chapter 59
Chapter 59:
“To a contract!” Azalea whispered back, leaning in. “You need a backup plan for when the year is up. Liam is safe. He’s nice p>
Dallas stood.
His shadow fell over the table, engulfing Eliza. He didn’t look at Azalea. His dark eyes were fixed on Eliza’s throat.
“There is no backup plan,” he stated, the finality in his tone quietly terrifying. “And she is busy tonight p>
Azalea frowned. “Doing what p>
“Reviewing her portfolio,” Dallas said smoothly. “With me p>
“Boring!” Azalea groaned. “Eliza, tell him you want to go. Liam is expecting you p>
Eliza looked up at Dallas. His jaw was tight, a muscle ticking feather-light beneath the skin. His eyes were warning her. Daring her.
She sensed the danger — not physical violence, but something more devastating. He was jealous, and Dallas Koch did not handle jealousy gracefully.
“Actually,” Eliza said, her voice only slightly unsteady, “I really do need to prep for the interview. S&D is competitive p>
J𝗼in 𝘵𝗁𝘦 𝖼𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂ոі𝘁𝗒 а𝘵
Dallas’s shoulders relaxed. Just a fraction of an inch. A victory.
“Fine,” Azalea pouted, seizing another croissant as she marched toward her room. “I’ll go with Liam alone. More for me. You guys are no fun p>
The room fell silent again.
Dallas’s gaze dropped briefly to Eliza’s lips before he pushed back from the table and walked away, leaving her breathless — and unsettled by how much she liked being held in place by him. She was, after all, his wife now, even if she still felt like a pawn on his very dangerous chessboard.
The coffee shop was trendy, loud, and smelled of burnt sugar. It sat directly across the street from S&D headquarters.
Eliza was at a small round table, nervously reviewing her notes. Azalea had tricked her into coming. “Just a quick coffee, El,” Azalea had chirped, her tone conspiratorial. “Liam is here. He’s got some insider tips on the S&D curator you’re trying to impress, and apparently he even knows the HR guy, Gavin Ross. Think of it as networking, not a date p>
Eliza had caved. She needed every advantage she could get before the interview, and Azalea’s enthusiasm was hard to resist — especially after Dallas’s intense territorial display the day before. She needed to prove her value, and if a coffee meeting with an old friend could help, she would take it.
The bell above the door chimed. Liam Sumner walked in. He wasn’t wearing his white coat today — just a casual leather jacket and jeans. He looked young, approachable, and safe.
“Eliza,” he smiled, spotting her. “It’s good to see you outside the hospital.” He sat down opposite her and ordered a black coffee.
“Thanks for meeting me, Liam,” Eliza said. “Azalea mentioned you know Gavin Ross p>
“The HR manager? Yeah, we play squash,” Liam nodded. “He’s tricky. Likes confident people. Don’t let him smell fear p>
Eliza typed a note on her phone. Confident. Got it.
They talked for twenty minutes. Liam was charming. He was funny. He was everything Anson wasn’t, and everything Dallas wasn’t. He was normal.
“Eliza,” Liam said, his voice softening. He reached across the small table and covered her hand with his.