oud, a heavy bass that vibr

bbing their empty glasses. "I'm going to th

nd against her stomach. The pain medication was working, but the lo

eded s

crowded room, heading toward a narrow, dimly li

bottom of the staircase. His dark eyes instantly trac

her, his strides long and deliberate. He kept a few paces behin

, illuminated only b

r the screen brightness, when the heel of her

he pitched forward, bracing hersel

ever

irmly around her waist, pulling

next to her ear. The breath ghosted over her sk

bs. She braced her hands against his

eyes that were as dark an

sharp enough to cut glass, covered in a light shadow of stubble. He e

. There was something incredibly familiar about the sl

i asked, her voice

w, devastating smile. He didn't

ly. "A gallery opening in

companied Jeb on a business trip to London. She had wandere

tured artists. They had spoken for maybe ten minute

took a small step back, and his arm finally dropped from

"Thank you. I didn't expect to

aback. "You re

paleness of her cheeks. "I have a good memory. Besides, you and y

lsi's body went rigid. The light

o-expression. He tracked the

t," Kelsi said qui

dn't push. He simply shifted the conversa

shook her he

r jacket. "Yeah. The opportunities in London dried up. Figured I'

ne was casual, but laced with just enou

dried up. He was struggling. He couldn't sell his art in Lo

hetic response, the sharp clackin

en looking ever

when she saw the man standing next to Kelsi. Gisele's eyes wi

d, stepping closer

actually know his name. "This is...

hand out of his pocket and

he said

ip. "Nice to meet you, Yannis. I'm Gisele. But I ha

h Kelsi's and began pulling

Yannis" was still standing in the