I hunched inward. “Hi.”

He glanced at the door then back at me, probably wondering whether to leave. “I should…” He trailed off as fresh tears sprang to my eyes. “Are you okay?”

I shook my head, my face burning with embarrassment. I’d been intrigued by Ronan ever since he’d come to work for Dad when he was fresh out of college five years ago, and this wasn’t the way I wanted him to see me.

He took a reluctant step into the office. “Can I, uh, get you a glass of water?”

“Yes, please.” At least it would give me something to focus on other than him.

He left the room, and I stared at the row of guns while I waited for him to come back.

Remington, Winchester, Savage, Smith & Wesson.

I knew them by heart and could shoot better than most of the guys my age. But I could also hold my own on a ballroom floor. My socialite mother may have died years ago, but she’d made sure I was equipped for the life she’d dreamed of me having.

When Ronan returned, he passed me a glass of water. “Are you okay here by yourself?”

“Yes,” I muttered, not making eye contact. “Thanks for the water.”

“No problem.” He moved toward the door.

“Ronan,” I started, but I couldn’t think of what to say. “Never mind. Sorry.”

My shoulders slumped. I hated him seeing what a mess I was, but I also didn’t want to be alone.

He turned back to me. His expression was patient, but I could tell he was uncomfortable. “Something is clearly bothering you.” He paced over to the plush sofa in front of the window. Chicago sprawled behind him through the glass. “Want to talk about it?”

“Not really.”

“Do you want to talk about the weather, then? Because I don’t feel like I can leave you alone when you’re so upset. I had a quick look for your dad while I was out there, but he’s in a meeting.”

“I know. Sonia already told me.”

“So.” He cocked his head. “The sunshine is great today, isn’t it?”

Despite myself, I laughed. I doubted Ronan ever got outside the office during daylight hours. Dad was always saying what a reliable worker he was—something that annoyed my brother, Tom, who held a similar position at Lennox Securities, to no end.

“It’s nice,” I agreed. We sat in silence for a few moments, then I sighed, realizing he wasn’t going anywhere. “It’s nothing serious,” I told him. “You don’t have to worry.”

His eyebrows drew together. “If it’s enough to make you cry, then it matters. But you don’t have to tell me. I’ll keep you company until Frank finishes with his meeting.”

I huffed. “You don’t need to do that. It’s just boy trouble.”

A flicker of something flashed through his gaze—probably regret at being stuck discussing boys with his boss’s daughter. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

It wasn’t much of a response, but now that I’d started talking, more words seemed to spill out of me. “I overheard my prom date saying he wouldn’t have asked me to go with him if I wasn’t from a rich family.” I rolled my eyes as though it didn’t hurt. “I don’t know why it surprised me. I should have known someone like him wouldn’t be interested in someone like me.”