Page 42 of He Knows When You're Awake

“Only the ones who break my expensive wineglasses.” He sits across from me, his eyes bright with amusement. “Though you’re the first to make me want to break one too.”

“I create chaos wherever I go. It’s a gift.” I cut into my steak. “Though usually I at least make it through the appetizer before destroying things.

“I notice you keep the French reds separate from the Italian ones.” I gesture at the wall of bottles. “Some might call that obsessive.”

“Some might call it respect for tradition.” His lips quirk up. “Though clearly I’m not as devoted to order as I used to be.”

“What gave it away?” I glance pointedly at the broken glass. He takes a slow sip from his glass.

“Let’s just say my priorities are shifting.”

“The steak is perfect,” I say, taking another bite. “Though I’m surprised you didn’t go with something more elaborate.”

“You struck me as someone who appreciates simplicity.” Hewatches me over his new wineglass. “At least when it comes to food. Your designs are anything but.”

“Says the man who spent three years hunting down a single bottle of wine.” I take another sip from my glass, considering him. “I’ve never met anyone so determined to get exactly what they want.”

His smile holds a hint of challenge. “You should look in the mirror.”

I lean back in my chair, fingers absently touching the necklace. “So tell me something I don’t know about Cole Asher. Something that isn’t in the press releases or Forbes profiles.”

“Trying to get the upper hand?” He cuts into his steak with precise movements.

“Maybe I’m just curious about the man who breaks thousand-dollar wineglasses to make a point.”

“Two thousand when you count the wine inside of it.” He sets down his knife with a smirk. “And what would you like to know?”

“Why jewelry?” I tilt my head. “Of all the investments you could make, why choose this collection?”

“Because you didn’t try to sell me on profits or market projections.” He studies me for a moment. “You showed me the pieces and let them speak for themselves. It’s rare to find someone that confident in their work.”

“Most people would call that arrogance.” I pause, studying his face. “But I think there’s more to it. Something you’re not telling me.”

Cole’s expression shifts subtly, a shadow passing over his features. “Someone I once cared about was an incredible jewelry designer like you. She died and never got to complete her vision.” His voice grows softer. “When I saw your work, I felt like it was important to support you, to show the world what you could create. And maybe... maybe it honors her memory too.”

My heart beats faster. “Who was she?”

“Her name was Claire,” he says, the words coming reluctantly.

“Claire?” I lean forward, a suspicion forming. “Wait—Claire as in Claire Voss?”

Cole’s eyes meet mine, and he gives a small, tight nod. “Yes.”

“Oh my god!” I can’t hide my excitement. “I studied her work obsessively in design school! Her use of negative space, the way she incorporated unexpected materials—” I shake my head in disbelief. “Her pieces weren’t just jewelry; they were tiny sculptures that told stories. I have her portfolio book dog-eared to death. Everyone was devastated when she died so young.”

Cole nods again, his jaw tightening in a way that tells me not to push further. I can see the pain in his eyes, and suddenly a thousand questions flood my mind. How did he know her? Were they close? What really happened to her? But I don’t ask. Instead, I reach across the table and briefly touch his hand.

He’s quiet for a moment, turning his own glass slowly between his fingers.

His eyes drop to my wrist, and his expression shifts. “You’re not wearing the frost bracelet.”

I follow his gaze to my bare wrist and sigh. “It’s not finished yet.”

“Not finished?” His voice takes on an edge. “I thought I was clear that I needed it completed by tonight.”

I set my fork down. “Look, the stones weren’t working with the setting. I needed to reconfigure the entire clasp mechanism. It wasn’t ready.”

“Sloane.” The way he says my name is both caress and warning. “We have deadlines for a reason. The frost bracelet is central to the winter collection. When I say I need something by a specific date, it’s not a suggestion.”