Reese smoothed her dressed as sat at a quiet table near the back of Brass & Bourbon, her fingers tracing the condensation on her water glass as she stared at the flickering candle in the middle of the table. The restaurant was dimly lit, warm-toned, with leather booths and gold accents that gave it a timeless, old-money feel. Couples chatted softly, laughter and the clink of cutlery filling the air, but the world outside of her own mind barely registered.

She had arrived early—not because she was eager, but because she needed time to settle her nerves before Collin arrived.

She had made up her mind.

Tonight, she was going to tell Collin everything.

The weight of her betrayal had become unbearable, clawing at her, filling her with guilt she couldn't ignore. Collin deserved the truth. When their relationship ended two years ago because of his infidelity, she had demanded honesty from him. And now, she owed him the same.

She glanced at her phone. 9:02 PM. He was late.

A familiar dread settled in her chest, but before she could let it consume her, she saw Collin rush through the entrance. His eyes scanned the restaurant until they landed on her, and a relieved smile spread across his face. His hair was slightly out of place, his blazer unbuttoned, and his tie loosened just enough to show he'd had a long day.

But what caught her attention wasn't his appearance—it was his energy.

He looked excited.

That wasn't how tonight was supposed to go.

"Hey, babe," Collin greeted, pressing a quick kiss to her temple before sliding into the seat across from her. "Sorry I'm late. I just got off a major call."

Reese swallowed, pushing away her immediate unease.

"What happened?" she asked, keeping her voice even.

Collin let out a breathless laugh, shaking his head like he still couldn't believe what he was about to say.

"I just got off the phone with Mr. Grey."

Reese's stomach turned.

She didn't speak. Didn't move.

But Collin kept talking, completely oblivious to her reaction.

"Christian Grey called me personally. I mean, usually, he calls TJ or Phil since they are leading the advisory group. I'm just happy to be in the room," he chuckled.

"Well, what did he want?" Reese asked, her stomach tightening.

"He wants to meet tomorrow to finalize the plans to raise capital for his expansion. He wants to hear my ideas and said that TJ and Phil have proved otherwise incompetent," Collin said, eyes glowing with opportunity.

"Oh," Reese said, tone steady and measured. "So are they off the advisory group, and you'll be his only investment banker?"

"I guess I'll find out," he said, signaling for the waiter. "I think they were just a little too pushy with their approach and too eager, but I don't want to completely leave them out of the deal. They've looked out for me before when we've had huge clients."

Reese nodded, trying to wrap her brain around Christian working one-on-one with Collin. What was he plotting?

Collin leaned forward, a knowing look on his face. "And you won't believe this—he's identified three properties and guess who he personally requested to handle the acquisitions?"

Reese's throat felt tight.

Collin didn't even pause for her answer. "You, babe."

She forced herself to keep breathing, not to react too fast.

Collin was still grinning, still riding the high of getting that call.

"He spoke about you like it was already a done deal, like you had already agreed," Collin continued, taking a sip of water before leaning in slightly. "I know we talked about this before, and you weren't sure about working with him again, but it sounds like he thinks you're in."

Reese's fingernails pressed into her palms beneath the table.

Christian had maneuvered her into a corner.

Reese forced herself to nod slowly. "He... said I was already involved?"

Collin chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, completely confident. It was kind of crazy. He's got this presence, you know? Like, nothing is up for debate."

Reese knew.

She knew too well.

"He said he needed a bulldog—someone aggressive who can make fast moves on properties that don't stay on the market long. And obviously, you're perfect for this because you got his Melrose estate sold in a week before it even hit the market. He trusts you."

She gritted her teeth.

Collin pulled out his tablet, swiping through his files. "Here, let me show you the properties he's considering. He just sent these as we were wrapping up."

Reese shifted slightly, trying to focus. She needed a second to collect her thoughts.

He turned the screen toward her.

And Reese felt like she had been punched in the gut.

One of the buildings on the list—one of the properties Christian wanted to acquire—was the office building where she and Christian had slept together on the conference table.

Her breath hitched as a flash of the memory hit her.

The cold marble pressing against her cheek.

Christian's grip on her waist as he pulled her closer.

The way his mouth had moved against her skin, slow and deliberate, whispering things that made her forget everything else.

Her fingers tensed slightly on the table as she swallowed hard, snapping herself out of it.

Collin was still talking.

"I think this one is the best option," he said, zooming in on the property details. "It's modern, exclusive, and already has some top-tier companies leasing nearby. Grey Enterprises would dominate the area."

Reese forced herself to nod, pretending she was fine.

"Yeah," she murmured, voice steadying. "It's a great space."

Collin smiled. "So, you're in, right? You'll meet with us tomorrow?"

Reese hesitated.

If she said no, it would raise questions about why she was so opposed to working with Christian again. She wouldn't know what Christian and Collin were discussing, and that wasn't an option.

She had to be in the room.

"...Yeah," she said finally, forcing a small smile. "I'll be there."

Collin exhaled, grinning. "Good. Let me confirm with him now."

Reese watched as he typed out the message, pressing send before she could even process it.

A few moments later, her own phone buzzed.

She looked down at the screen.

10:17 PM 3234933687: See you in the morning.

She locked her phone.

Reese picked up her wine glass, took a sip, and pretended like her entire world wasn't closing in on her.