sed on the condensation beading on her water glass, on the intricate pattern

guage radiating a triumphant ownership. "Holden, this i

hem, a brief, impersonal acknowledgment for each. When his

all," he said, the words sm

ilent, screaming drama unfolding in

do?" Tessa asked, her v

vaguely, the answer offering no real informatio

rp pain she used as an anchor to reality. Her mind was a maelstrom of unanswerable question

bright and cheerful. "Holden just moved to

assed the large, leather-bound menus to the wome

pen disgust he'd shown her in the alley. This detached courtesy suggested she

ked at the man who was now discussing wine pairings with the som

on the menu. The words swam before her eyes. She point

dable glance. He had noticed her silence, her distra

their majors and a fun fact about themselves. It was a typica

ok up from her plate. She manufactured a smile that

ce sounding thin and reedy to h

his. She was looking for something, anything. A fl

, handsome mask. The name 'Dianna' meant

ering with a terrified, hopeful

bility to lie was more absolute t

placing a hand on Holden's arm. He didn't pull away, but he didn't lean

r Dianna. The expensive food on her plate was tasteless, turning to ash in h

er. "Dianna, are you okay?" she

fine," she said, a little too

but not quietly enough. The c

action of a second over his steak. It was a minuscule hesitation

r?" Ashley asked, her brow furro

sted. The last thing she wanted was to cause a

lass, to laugh at one of Chloe's jokes. She was a drama major, after all. She cou

as a conscious effort, every beat of her heart a painful reminder of the man sit

n't a meal. It

. "Excuse me," she murmured, sliding

teps even. She didn't look back. She could feel his eyes