The Dinner Distraction

POV: Tessa

The clinking of crystal glasses and the low hum of wealth echoed around the resort dining room. I sat tensely at the large table, realizing I was not handling this high-stakes family dinner well at all. My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird. Every smile I forced felt brittle, and every laugh sounded hollow to my own ears. I was faking my way through probing conversation