“You look lovely tonight. I’m only sorry it was Chastain who brought you. At least he let me have one dance.” Zinnia chuckled. They both knew Nick had not given his permission. He had been talking with a business acquaintance when Duncan had appeared at her side and asked for the dance. She had accepted without a second’s hesitation even though she had been aware of Nick’s frown of disapproval when he saw her take the floor with Duncan. Start as you mean to go on, she told herself. If she was going to have an affair with an off-the-chart matrix, she had to get the rules straight at the very beginning. And the first rule was that Nick could not make all the rules. He could not control everything and everyone. He would drive them both crazy if he tried. Zinnia was mildly surprised to discover that she was enjoying herself tonight. It had been a long time since she had last danced. The Founders’ Club ball room was a glittering scene. The jelly-ice chandeliers cast a warm romantic glow over the well-dressed crowd.
