Martin told them about clients who approved a project, changed their minds after delivery, and then acted shocked when the extra work cost more money. His stories involved smaller sums and fewer headlines, but Katherine listened with open amusement. When he mentioned a client who had delayed payment for six weeks, Cassandra asked for the company's name so calmly that he changed the subject before she could turn an overdue invoice into an acquisition.
By dessert, Martin had stopped worrying that his stories would sound small beside theirs. Neither woman treated his work as trivial, and he finally felt at ease in Cassandra's penthouse.
Cassandra reached for his hand. Her fingers threaded through his and stayed there.
"You shouldn't return to your studio tonight," she said.
Martin turned toward her.
