The sudden movement causes her to give a little gasp, jumping back, away from his fist. Her green eyes fly open wide and she recoils, everything bright and loud in that moment.

No, this was Cooper. He wouldn't hurt her, he wasn't like that. But it was all too similar to the way he'd been after he'd walked in on her and a client. It was all too similar to how Bill so often was. And now every time she looked at the table, at the dent, she'd remember it.

But just like that, it's over, and her hand is back in his. She unfurls herself, pressing her lips together. "I don't know what to do, Cooper. I don't want to be the reason you don't win. You're clearly a better candidate than Cesare, and Jean-Claude has so much on his plate already, it's only right. But the world isn't like that, and just think how they'll see you! I can't do that to you. I can't."

Of course, the solution was simple. But she was blind to it.