She watched Reagan retreat until she was in the kitchen and out of sight. She turned on Sam. “Seriously. What was with the ogling? And the extra-long handshake.”

Sam crossed her arms and grinned. “Why, Jill, does this one actually mean something?”

“She does. Okay? Is that what you want to hear?”

“Wow,” Sam replied, her grin replaced with a soft smile. “Then I really need to hear all about her sometime. But for now, I think I’ve had my fill of these people for one night. Mother dearest is coming this way. Call me soon.”

Jill nodded as Sam kissed her cheek and left. She took a deep breath as she felt a presence behind her.

“Jillian, there are some people you need to say goodbye to.”

She turned, forcing a smile on her face once again as she was led away by her mother. Introductions to the couple didn’t register because things like this never did. Most of the guests at the party didn’t even care about her stepfather. They just wanted the opportunity to mingle with others who might serve their interests, all while enjoying free food and drinks.

After most of the guests cleared out, Jill decided she’d had enough of playing dutiful daughter and hostess, so she went in search of Reagan. As she pushed open the swinging doors, she watched Gwen direct her staff to pack the last of the supplies from the night. Reagan stood at the large island, looking over some paperwork.

“Hi.” Jill gently placed her hand on Reagan’s lower back.

“Hey. We’re almost done here,” Reagan replied with a quick wink.

“Perfect. Gwen, thank you for everything. The food was amazing.”

“We’re happy to hear that.”

Jill nodded at her and turned to Reagan. “Can we chat for a sec?”

“Sure.”

She led Reagan through a sliding door and onto the patio where soft white lights were strung along the beams of the pergola.

“What’s—”

Jill didn’t let her finish because she needed to kiss her. The looks. The promise of what was to come. It had all been too much for her. Reagan was quickly becoming someone she couldn’t get enough of and she didn’t feel the need to question it anymore.

As she moved to deepen the kiss, the door behind them opened with a loud thud. Jill pulled back and saw her mother standing in the open doorway, a menacing smirk on her face. “Oh, Jillian. The hired help. Really?”

She felt warm all over as rage coursed through her body. “Excuse me. You don’t—”