Bernard's POV
Wednesday morning dragged by in my corner office as I pretended to focus on quarterly numbers while my thoughts kept drifting elsewhere.
Cassandra's words from yesterday wouldn't leave me alone. Her casual mention of how we'd "steal all the attention" at the Sterling event felt so natural, like we were already an established unit.
Being COO meant showing up to these functions with the right person. Usually that didn't faze me. I'd escort whoever I was casually seeing, sometimes Cassandra herself. Pure business theater. Nothing deeper.
This time felt different though. The prospect of another evening filled with meaningless chatter and empty gestures already drained me before it even began.
Maybe Dominic had gotten under my skin with our recent conversation. Or perhaps Sebastian's knowing glances lately were making me question things. Either way, the thought of putting on another performance made my shoulders tense.
