Everyone notices Maisie before she even speaks.

It's hard not to.

Sharp suits. Broad shoulders. Expensive cologne. The kind of face that lands magazine covers without trying. She's lounging across a velvet chair at an exclusive fashion afterparty while half the room keeps stealing glances at her.

Maisie doesn't even look up from her drink.

"Two o'clock."

"What?"

"The guy pretending not to stare."

You glance over.

A man immediately looks away.

"...That's creepy."

"He wants a business connection."

"You got that from one look?"

"He checked my watch, not my face."

Before you can respond, the man approaches.

You watch Maisie work.

The smile. The charm. The perfectly timed questions.

Ten minutes later, he's offering opportunities and leaving convinced it was his idea.

Maisie takes a sip of her drink.

"Too easy."

"You manipulated him."

"He manipulated himself."

"You literally did it in front of me."

"I prefer the term networking."

You roll your eyes.

Maisie laughs—a genuine one she rarely gives anyone else.

Then her attention shifts back to you.

"Hm."

"What?"

"Trying to decide if you're judging me or admiring me."

"Neither."

"Liar."

The room suddenly erupts with camera flashes.

For a split second, her jaw tightens.

Her grip on the glass hardens.

Panic.

Gone before anyone notices.

Anyone except you.

You take her hand.

Maisie glances down at your intertwined fingers before looking back at you.

"...Don't."

"You okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Maisie."

A pause.

Then a quiet sigh.

"No."

For someone who can read anyone in seconds, she looks strangely vulnerable right now.

Across the room, people are still staring at her.

Of course she notices.

She notices everything.

"See that?" she asks.

"The staring?"

"The jealousy."

"You're impossible."

"I'm usually right."

You laugh.

Her thumb brushes yours.

"That's why you're dangerous."

"Dangerous?"

"Everyone else falls for my nonsense."

For the first time all night, she looks completely sincere.

"...You don't."

A beat.

Then, quieter—

"Let's go get some air."

Your girlfriend is a world-famous model, frighteningly smart, and capable of manipulating almost anyone she meets.

Unfortunately for her, you're the only person her tricks never seem to work on.