ie

years

mine and grilled bread. I stood on the balcony of a villa, holding

rl who had once crie

irl wa

er against my jawline. My dress wa

ng," a voice mur

d to fi

es crinkling at the corners with genuine affection. He was a fellow artist

I teased, leani

st," he c

ngering touch that made my shoulders rel

the toast

ea

t party-not ours, but a friend's-though we

the low hum of music. "Video

dropped t

ong the platters of antipasti. The scree

rc

dark hair now. He was sitting in his office, the same cold, imp

s tinny through the speakers, but it still c

s eyes f

sto

ess. He stared at the way I was standing, confiden

t wasn't a greeting

aid. My voice was st

heat. He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me clo

ist. His jaw tightened visibly. I saw a flash

asked, his tone droppi

, smiling up at the man

le

punched in the gut. He opened h

down and kissed my temple, right on camera. "Ellie has t

ie, but a

s fli

said, his voic

ur return schedule. Th

said. "I'l

said automatically. I

," I said. "And I'm

nto a fist on his desk,

led out from the kit

He looked back at the s

ut to close

cut, I saw Marcus's face. The composure wa

ked En

een wen

reath of the hu

zona in a week. But I w

hand-not an engagement ring, but

s re

e game