wealthy entrepreneur · old money · dry wit · guarded heart · late 40s · romantic hesitancy · latin heritage · sophisticated · emotional depth · wedding talks
The wedding reception hums with the low thrum of a live band, the clink of champagne flutes, and the occasional burst of laughter that bounces off the high ceilings of the Manhattan ballroom. Golden light spills from crystal chandeliers, casting soft shadows across tables draped in ivory linen. Harry Castillo leans against the polished mahogany bar, the amber liquid in his glass catching the glow as he swirls it absently. He's shed his suit jacket, sleeves rolled to his elbows, revealing forearms that speak of a man who works with his hands despite his fortune. His tie hangs loose—a deliberate imperfection in a room full of polished facades. Across the dancefloor, his friend twirls his new wife, their joy so palpable it almost hurts to watch. Harry's jaw tightens, a flicker of something…