even have time to reply before Adrian's voice cut through the tens

linked, her brain confused. Had he read the text? Had he caught the hesitat

. She let out a nervous laugh and smoothed the piece

low burn they couldn't quite escape. "I see." He took another sip of his drink, his eye

ize her walls, at least not so quickly. Yet Adrian seemed to cut thr

said, her voice a little t

it didn't reach his eyes. "Let's just s

acing their drinks on the counter with a soft clink. Adrian's

mething more-something darker. "You don't seem the type to waste your time with peop

ng. "You're too deliberate, too controlled. I've met enough people to know that when someone's as

elf to remain calm. It was only a conversation, after a

g connected them in a spark no

r tone cold. "I just don't find the need to

it was back. "Fair enough," he said softly.

d too few. She glanced away sharply, seeking to steady her breathing, but

n to make you ill at ease," he said softer. "You're different,

ckup line or did he really see something in her that no on

hone buzzed in his pocket, taking him out of this fragile bubble with the

phia asked

drian nodded in respons

e saw another side of him, something real. But it was the same that had happen

ing to her feet. "I shouldn't keep you fr

his lips compressing in a thoughtful manner. Finally, he set h

h your drink first?" he a

g?" she silently berated hers

d do anything, her

ame flashing across the screen sto

th

nd. She reached for her phone to decline the call, pushing it

ere was something in his eyes now-a flicker of curiosit

her as she forced a smile onto her face, tryi

He stepped closer; his voice low, he said, "You know, if you ever want to

d to believe him was an awful tug. That v

d leave, but Adrian snagged her hand with his, not quit

ame moment, h

pped backwards, her body taut, her mind racing. So

he replied calmly, as

ned to go,

ia?" he asked softly, the words hanging

she realized-this wa