Page 28 of Dissonance

Control without intrusion.

Which leaves me time to notice things I shouldn’t.

Where I’m standing gives me a clean sightline to Cooper’s table and the rows immediately behind it. Which is how I know, without having to look directly at her, exactly where Thea’s sitting. She looks different tonight, not softer—never that—but less guarded than I’m used to seeing her in rooms like this. Her hair’s down, dark curls cascading down her back. An emerald-green, floor-length dress hugs her figure, the fabric catching the green in her eyes from across the space, the neckline low enough to be striking without trying to be.

She reminds me of the girl I met twelve years ago. Twenty-two, all fire and forward momentum, laughing easily in a room where she had every reason not to. Before she learned how to brace herself. Before the industry taught her what it costs a woman to be taken seriously. The girl who wanted a beer in a room full of champagne, and who slipped away with a stranger.

My attention moves to Tyler beside her, talking constantly, vibrating with the kind of energy he doesn’t know how to channel yet, then onto Zane, sprawled back in his seat, phone still out, smirking as his thumbs fly over the screen. The casual disregard of a man who doesn’t consider the people around him worth the effort. It had pissed me off on the red carpet when he shouldered past Thea without a word, and it pisses me off now.

But I stay where I am. He isn’t worth the breath.

The second the next act starts, Tyler’s on his feet, pulling Thea up with him. She shakes her head, laughing, trying to wave him off. But then he grins and tugs again, cheering when she relents.

For a moment, the version of herself she keeps carefully managed most days simply isn’t there. I watch the easy sway of her hips, the way her laughter spills out unchecked, the sound filling my head even though I can’t hear it over the music.

And when our eyes meet across the crowded room, everything else drops away. The noise, the movement, all of it. Her gaze lowers before it rises again, and that second look…

Christ.

Softer, almost shy, like she’s aware I’ve been watching and doesn’t know what to do with that.

Then Tyler spins her suddenly, nearly taking out the person beside them, and she steadies him without missing a beat or breaking the moment for him. That’s the thing about her. She absorbs chaos so completely that the people she’s protecting never have to feel it.

God help me, I cannot stop watching.

But I drag my attention back to Cooper, requiring more effort than it should.

By the time the final award wraps, Cooper’s won again, whispering something into Declan’s ear that makes him pull back with a look I recognize. The predator locked onto his prey, and in a heartbeat, Cooper’s on his feet, hauling him up and making a beeline for me.

“We’re going back to the hotel,” he announces, swaying a little.

“Is that so?” I keep my face neutral as he hiccups and leans in conspiratorially.

“We’re going to fuck,” he whispers, loud enough that Declan groans. “Loudly. Without worrying about waking the baby.”

“Coop, baby, he doesn’t need details.”

“I was just—”

“Shhh, he really doesn’t,” Declan murmurs, arm winding around his waist and tucking him into his side.

Cooper sighs, snuggling his head against his arm, immediately brightening when Tyler bounds over and claps him on the shoulder.

“Holy shit, you were incredible tonight. Seriously, congrats. Every single win was deserved.”

“Thanks, kid.” He grins. “You’ll be next.”

“Congratulations,” Thea says as she steps in, her gaze doing a quiet sweep of Cooper in assessment. Tipsy or properly drunk, she’s working it out. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Couldn’t have done it without you.” He lurches forward and plants a kiss on her cheek with more enthusiasm than accuracy. “Best manager ever.”

“How much has he had?” she asks Declan, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.

“Too much,” he deadpans.

“So, no after-party?” Tyler hedges, glancing around the group.

“Definitely not,” Thea says, giving him a pointed look. “After-parties spell trouble.”