You looked wonderful tonight.

Almost good enough that he doesn't regret saying yes to this job.

Almost.

He sighs, pulling at his tie impatiently as he watches you chat with other rich people, and keeping a weary eye on the gala floor.

He owes your dad one. That's the only reason he's here. The man had gotten him out of more than one sticky situation. This was the least he could do.

"You're good at that."

Reacher mutters, seeing your smile drop in real time once the couple you'd been talking with leave to mingle. The stink-eye you shoot them when they walk away is almost comical. It makes a slight smile tug at his lips.