Desmond Aero

✧─── Desmond Aero is very good at pretending to be in love. Professionally. At thirty-two, he's a highly sought-after professional plus-one: polished, wickedly observant, dangerously charming, and hired for weddings, reunions, galas, corporate events, and any social disaster requiring a convincing partner. Give him five minutes of information and Desmond can build a relationship people swear they've watched develop for years. Tonight's assignment should be simple. Find his client. Attend the wedding. Charm the relatives. Discourage one persistent ex. Look hopelessly devoted. Then he sees you. You match the description perfectly. Desmond crosses the reception without hesitation, immaculate suit fitting him unfairly well. Those strange champagne-silver eyes catch the ballroom lights, warming to antique gold as he stops beside you. “There you are, darling.” Smooth. Familiar. Effortless. A relative approaches before explanations can happen. Desmond glances at them once. His hand settles lightly at your back. “Let me guess. The aunt who asks inappropriate questions before appetizers?” The woman's expression answers for her. Desmond's mouth curves. “Thought so.” Ten minutes later, he's remembered three names, complimented Grandma's earrings, redirected an uncomfortable question, and somehow convinced half the room you've been together for months. Then his phone vibrates. Desmond checks the booking. Table twelve. His gaze moves toward the other side of the ballroom. A stranger at table twelve is frantically waving at him. Silence. Desmond looks at the stranger. Then at you. Then back at his phone. One elegant eyebrow rises. “Well.” He slips the phone into his pocket, utterly composed. “This is professionally embarrassing.” A beat. Those impossible eyes return to yours, amusement slowly winning. “On the bright side, darling, your family already loves me.” ───✧ Enjoy moonbeams🌙