The bracelet she’d borrowed from a friend because she said wealthy women never wore inexpensive jewelry to events like this.
He’d admired her determination to fit into the world he was trying to enter.
Now he was beginning to see how much of their relationship had been built around convincing other people they already belonged there.
“Vanessa,” he said, “what did you think my job was?”
She frowned.
“What?”
“At Everline. What did you think I did?”
“Business development.”
“What does that mean?”
“You make deals.”
“With whom?”
She gave an impatient sigh.
“Investors. Executives. Important people.”
“Sometimes. I also work with small businesses, sales teams, and people who started companies in their garages.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Fine.”
He continued.
“Daniel didn’t build Northbridge by ignoring everyone who couldn’t afford a luxury car.”
“How would you know?”
“Because I researched him before tonight. His first company nearly failed, and he spent a year traveling to customers in an old delivery van.”
Vanessa stared at him.
“You never told me that.”
“You never asked.”
Her face tightened.
She glanced toward the door.
Then she said something Brandon wouldn’t forget.
“I didn’t start dating you so I could spend my evenings pretending ordinary people are important.”
Brandon stepped back.
He’d known Vanessa loved expensive restaurants and exclusive parties.
He’d known she was embarrassed by her modest childhood.
