York said, “Good name.”

It suited her to a T, though York kept that thought to himself.

Their little exchange hadn’t gone unnoticed by Dalton, Moran, Granger, and even Vesta and Thorne were tuning

1. in.

Swapping dance partners at a ball was nothing out of the ordinary.

But York and Charlene-

Frankly, they looked like a match made in heaven, no two ways about it.

Dalton’s brow furrowed in disapproval.

Granger hesitated for a moment.

dance partner glanced over. “Something wrong, Mr. Harden?”

Granger shifted his gaze back to her. “Sorry, my mind wandered.”

“It’s fine.”

Switching partners was pretty normal. He and Thorne switching up was no big deal.

But him and Charlene-

Vesta was laying eyes on York for the first time tonight.

Dalton had come over earlier to say hi, but York hadn’t joined him.

She wasn’t quite sure about York’s background.

But from the way Dalton and Kelvin acted around York, it was obvious he was just as influential as Dalton.

Seeing Charlene blushing and dancing with York, who seemed quite taken with her as well, made Vesta frown.

Just then, Moran chimed in with a grin, “Thorne, care to switch partners for a bit?”

Vesta snapped out of her thoughts.

Thorne looked at Vesta. “What do you think?”

Vesta smiled. “I’m cool with it.”

Thorne chuckled and switched partners with Moran.

Moran’s partner hadn’t expected Vesta to actually agree to the swap.

As Thorne took her hand and pulled her close, the girl’s heart raced, her cheeks flushing so much she even forgot how to dance.

Embarrassed, she looked up at Thorne, momentarily lost for words.

Thorne, noticing her discomfort, said gently, “No need to be nervous.”

His kindness helped her relax, and after apologizing, she managed to follow Thorne’s lead on the dance floor.

Vesta wasn’t usually bothered by swapping dance partners; she was confident in herself after all.

But seeing that girl gaze at Thorne with such admiration and a racing heart made her frown.

After all, Vesta was his buddy’s girl, and Moran had no romantic intentions.

swap was just a spur-of-the-moment decision. But once it happened, he actually felt a bit awkward.

After all, he was holding his buddy’s girl. He wasn’t quite sure where to place his hands.

Vesta noticed and reassured him, “It’s just a dance. Thorne won’t mind.”

Moran relaxed a bit and smiled. “Right.”

As they talked, Charlene and Thorne were slowly getting closer, though Charlene didn’t seem to notice. Until she heard Thorne’s voice next to her: “Mr. Watson, care to switch partners?” Charlene turned, coming face-to-face with Thorne.

York looked at Charlene, asking, “Ms. Ross, you…”

Before he could finish, Thorne seemed to have already arranged the switch, handing off his partner,

If York didn’t catch the girl, she would’ve stumbled.

Seeing Thorne extending his hand to Charlene, ensuring she wouldn’t fall, York reluctantly let go of Charlene and caught the girl by the waist.

Charlene was too stunned to react, finding herself securely in Thorne’s arms in no time.