Henry leaned back in his leather chair, fingers drumming lightly against the polished surface of his desk as he listened to his business partner, Olivia St. James, talk about her latest fashion line. They had been in the middle of a meeting, discussing the possibility of collaborating on a charity gala, but Henry's mind had been drifting elsewhere.

"Alright, spill it," Olivia finally said, smirking as she crossed her arms. "You've been zoning out for the last ten minutes, and that's not like you. What's got Henry Kingsley, the most calculated man I know, acting like he's lost in the clouds?"

Henry chuckled, shaking his head as he rubbed the back of his neck. "That obvious, huh?"

"Oh, completely." Olivia leaned forward, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Come on, tell me. What's got you so distracted?"

Henry exhaled before admitting, "I've got a date tonight."

Olivia's eyes widened in surprise before her face split into a delighted grin. "Wait, you? Henry Kingsley, notorious workaholic and impossible-to-impress businessman, actually agreed to go on a date? This is monumental."

"Don't make a big deal out of it," Henry muttered, though he couldn't keep the amusement out of his voice.

"Oh, but it is a big deal. You haven't gone on a proper date in—" Olivia paused, pretending to count on her fingers, "—forever."

"Very funny," he said dryly, though his lips twitched.

"But seriously, I love this for you. You deserve to be happy, Henry." Her voice softened. "You really do."

Henry glanced away for a moment, taking in her words before nodding slightly. "Thanks, Liv."

"So, who's the lucky woman?" Olivia pressed; her excitement barely contained.

Henry reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, swiping through his messages before stopping on the photo Emilia had sent him earlier—an image of her at work, dressed in her scrubs, mid-task, her expression focused yet effortlessly beautiful. He turned the phone toward Olivia.

"This is her. Emilia Everett."

Olivia's eyes lit up as she looked at the picture. "Oh, Henry," she said, a knowing smile curling on her lips. "She's beautiful."

"She is," he admitted, unable to hide the small smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Olivia studied the photo for another moment before something clicked in her memory. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Wait a second... I just designed a dress recently that has to be hers. It just came out, and the moment I saw it finished, I knew it was meant for someone special. I think Emilia is that someone."

Henry leaned forward, intrigued. "You know, I was hoping you'd say that."

Olivia quirked an eyebrow. "Oh?"

He swiped again on his phone and brought up a different image—one of the exact dress she was thinking of a stunning piece that exuded both elegance and understated beauty.

Olivia laughed, shaking her head in amazement. "Of course. Great minds think alike."

"So, will you help me get it to her?" Henry asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

"You even have to ask?" Olivia rolled her eyes before grabbing her own phone. "I'll make a call and have it ready within the hour. Where should it be delivered?"

Henry gave her the hospital's address without hesitation. "She works late, but I want her to have it before tonight."

Olivia nodded, already typing the instructions into her phone. "Consider it done."

As their meeting wrapped up, Olivia stood, giving Henry a pointed look. "You're actually excited about this date, aren't you?"

Henry exhaled, running a hand through his hair before allowing himself to admit it. "Yeah, Liv. I really am."

She grinned. "Good. Now go home and get ready. You've got a date to impress."

Henry laughed as he grabbed his jacket. For the first time in a long time, he felt a genuine sense of anticipation for the night ahead.

___________________________________

Emilia stared down at the note in her hands, heat creeping up her face. This man was absolutely insane-but damn if it wasn't sweet.

She felt Yanique's curious gaze on her and sighed, motioning for her to shut the door. "Okay," she said, settling onto the couch. "Let me explain everything."

And she did.

She told Yanique about that night months ago-how she had just gotten off work when she saw Chase and Hallie tangled together on the street, kissing like they had all the time in the world. How she had forced down the knot of betrayal in her throat and waited for Chase to come home, hoping for some kind of explanation. And how all he had given her was a half-hearted excuse: Hallie needed him.

"Needed him," Emilia repeated bitterly, shaking her head. "Like I didn't?"

Yanique's face darkened with anger as Emilia went on, laying it all out-the numbness that followed, the way she became a ghost in her own life while Chase carried on with his, leaving her alone to plan their wedding. The missed birthday. The way she slowly stopped feeling like herself.

"I should've left," Emilia admitted.

Yanique folded her arms. "Damn right, you should've."

A sad smile tugged at Emilia's lips. "Aunt Rose knew something was off. She's been pushing me to meet someone." Her cheeks warmed as she hesitated, then admitted, "Henry."

Yanique narrowed her eyes. "And?"

Emilia bit her lip, then gestured to the box on the coffee table.

Yanique still looked furious at Chase, but curiosity won out. "Alright," she muttered, watching as Emilia lifted the lid.

Inside was a breathtaking deep green gown, elegant yet undeniably daring with its plunging neckline. Emilia sucked in a sharp breath.

"Holy shit."

Yanique leaned over, whistling. "Damn. He's got taste."

Emilia barely heard her, already grabbing her phone. A grin tugged at her lips as she typed out a message:

Emilia: If your plan was to leave me speechless, mission accomplished. Also, bold choice with the neckline. Are you trying to test my self-control, Henry?

She hit send, then clutched the dress to her chest, gripping the fabric like it might anchor her. Her heart pounded so hard she swore it echoed off the office walls.

Across the desk, Yanique leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips. "Okay, girl. I love this for you, I do. But let's be real—you were a whole mess over Chase not that long ago. Just... make sure you're actually ready before you dive headfirst into something new."

Emilia exhaled slowly, the buzz of office chatter and clacking keyboards fading into the background. Chase had been a storm she barely survived. But as she met Yanique's steady gaze—full of tough love and loyalty—something inside her settled.

For the first time in a long time, the fear wasn't drowning her.

She let out a breath, rolling the fabric between her fingers. A small, hesitant smile crept onto her lips.

"I think I finally am."

Her phone buzzed almost instantly.

Henry: Self-control is overrated. But if it makes you feel any better, I did consider a turtleneck. For a solid three seconds.

Emilia bit her lip, shaking her head as she quickly typed back.

Emilia: Three whole seconds? Wow. That's restraint. I'm impressed.

Henry: I do my best. But honestly, green is your color. I had to make sure you'd turn heads.

A rush of warmth spread through her chest. The way he spoke, so confident and smooth, sent a thrill down her spine.

Emilia: Turning heads wasn't exactly on my to-do list, but I appreciate the thought.

Henry: Maybe not, but I guarantee you'll be the most stunning person in the room. And I like being right.

She smiled, cheeks aching from how hard she was grinning.

Emilia: Confident, are we?

Henry: I prefer "astute."

Before she could fire back, another message popped up.

Henry: Unfortunately, I have to head into my last meeting of the day. But I'll be thinking of you. And that dress.

Her stomach did a full somersault.

Emilia: Careful, Henry. That almost sounded like a confession.

Henry: Maybe it was. You'll just have to wait and see.

She stared at the screen long after the chat went silent, rereading his words until they were imprinted in her brain.

It wasn't until she stretched and looked around that she realized she was alone.

Yanique was gone.

At some point, her best friend must have slipped out, off to her next client, leaving Emilia in her own little world.

And honestly? She didn't mind one bit.

Feeling a pep in her step-and maybe a little more excitement than she wanted to admit-Emilia plugged in her phone and carefully placed the dress box in her work closet before heading back to finish her shift.

By 6:45 p.m., she had just delivered a beautiful baby girl for the Lawson family. She made sure everything was in order, handed the necessary information over to the attending nurse, and then-without wasting another second-bolted for the clock-out station.

Grabbing her box, she waved a rushed goodbye to her coworkers and practically sprinted home.

There was no way she was meeting Henry smelling like antiseptic and newborns.

A quick shower later, she stood in front of her mirror, running a brush through her damp hair before curling it into soft, beachy waves. Light makeup, a swipe of gloss, and then-the dress.

She slipped it on carefully, smoothing the fabric over her body before stepping back to take a look.

"Holy hell."

The deep green hugged her curves perfectly, accentuating her waist and showing just enough skin to make her wonder if Henry had picked it out with wicked intentions. Her fingers grazed the neckline, feeling a mix of awe and-dare she say-confidence?

Damn, I look good.

Still marveling at her reflection, she grabbed a pair of silver earrings and started fastening them when her phone buzzed.

Henry: Emmy, I've sent my driver, Cayden, to pick you up from your place. I'm guessing you rushed home to change-I know I will, before seeing you tonight. I can't wait to see you.

A warm flutter settled in her chest, but she rolled her eyes at how effortlessly smooth he was.

Before she could type back, another message appeared.

Henry: Also, if you're still deciding what shoes to wear... go with the ones that'll make me regret not standing closer to you all night.

Emilia snorted, shaking her head.

Emilia: Oh, so now you're a fashion consultant too? Is there anything you don't do?

Henry: Resist the urge to flirt with you? Apparently not.

Before she could think of a comeback, her doorbell rang.

She frowned. Who the hell...?

Grabbing her phone, she padded to the door and pulled it open.

Standing there was a tall man in a sleek chauffeur uniform, his expression calm but professional.

"Ms. Everett?" he asked smoothly. "I'm Cayden. Mr. Kingsley sent me to pick you up."

Emilia blinked, then arched an eyebrow. Oh, this man.

Quickly, she texted Henry.

Emilia: So, you know where I live. Should I be flattered or concerned?

Across town, Henry glanced down at his phone, smirking as he typed back.

Henry: See you soon, darling.

Emilia sighed, shaking her head with a small laugh. I am so in trouble with this man.

Slipping on her heels-the ones that would absolutely make him regret standing too far away-she grabbed her clutch and followed Cayden out the door, excitement bubbling in her chest as they drove toward the restaurant.

____________________________

Author's Note: This chapter has been officially rewritten to address some of the questions many of you had :) Expect more edited and expanded chapters soon. Thank you all for your patience and kindness throughout this process. I know novels don't usually work this way, with edits before chapters and so on, but since this is my first novel, I'm doing my best to make it as great as possible :)