Securing an alliance wasn't hard when you knew exactly which buttons to push. I watched Hannah Norton's face in the coffee shop this morning, noting how her expression shifted from annoyed to interested the moment I mentioned my father.
"I don't have much time, Camille," she said, checking her diamond-encrusted watch. "The meeting with your father is in an hour, and I need to prepare."
I smiled sweetly, stirring my latte. "That's exactly what I wanted to talk about."
Hannah's perfectly manicured eyebrow arched. "Oh?"
"I've seen the way you look at my father," I said bluntly. Her cheeks flushed pink, confirming my suspicion. "Don't worry, I think it's sweet."
"I don't know what you're talking about," she replied defensively, but her eyes darted away.
I leaned forward, lowering my voice. "My father needs someone like you in his life. Someone accomplished, beautiful... someone who understands his world."
Hannah's posture relaxed slightly. "Your father is an extraordinary man."
