, glowing script above the heavy oak doors. Dianna paid the driver, her reflection looking pale and out of p

. Low, intimate lighting glinted off crystal glasses and polished silver. The air was filled wit

lush, circular booth by a floor-to-ceiling window t

r faces illuminated by the glow of their

hispered, her eyes wide. "One entrée here cos

It's... nice." She felt a familiar discomfort in

gossip. "Seriously, who is this guy? Ashley neve

added, making air quotes with her fingers. "But what kind of 'fr

ing on the street below. Four years of quiet, methodical living had almost made her

nd waited. Chloe kep

're parking. She said to

, final guesses. Tech startup CEO? Or may

was on the paper she had due next week, not on

atmosphere caught her attention. A

hloe hissed, her

llowed th

ant in a silk emerald-green dress. Her hand was restin

uit. Even from across the room, he projected an aura of quiet, formidable confid

ething about his posture, the way he stood so still in

e flutter started in her

dazzling expression. She said something to the

os

cl

we're late," Ashle

a mixture of awe and admiration. Dianna rose slowly, her body

. He stepped fully into

world

veins turned to a sluggish, icy slush. The background

same strong jaw. But the lines were sharper now, carved by four years of time, the la

with such contempt, swept calmly over the table. They p

er. Nothing. He looked at her as if she were a piece of fur

en B

f vertigo, as if the floor ha

around his. "Everyone, I'd like

e and Tessa. His gaze brushed past Dia

n she remembered. It vibrated through the air, through the floor, and