lac's

etched, savoring the quiet... rare these days. The past week had left me raw, scr

doorbel

the hell shows

oor cool under my bare feet, I he

ere he

el

ours

on something. In his hands? A massive bouquet of roses- deep red, velve

ach twi

w better. It wasn't an apology. It was a reset button. A way to

ffortless. He held out the flowers like an off

How many times had I fallen for this? Taken the

his t

et from his hands. His smile widene

dumped them straig

s stupidly

mask slipped- just a fraction, but I caught it. T

always, he

thought you loved them before," He chu

said flatly. "O

re tense, "Noted. How about lunch,

use, but before I could,

d. "I'm sorry. For everything. I let my emotions get the best of m

ightened.

lose enough to avoid suspicion, but not

g indifference. "But I

shing in his eyes as he stood,

-

all crystal chandeliers and stiff white tablecloths, wh

ted

ware. Kael ordered for us both, like he still kne

back, studying me. "How

glass. "Living the dream. Dodging scanda

. "God, I've missed that

ot of things," I shot back.

kered, but he

ck toast. "But seriously, Lilac. I want t

claim. What if I told you I don't believe in

d say you're lying. Because you feel

s indigestion. Maybe it's

uine this time. "

aid dryly. "But at l

softening. "You're... extraordinar

y spine. The worst part? He al

ost

I said lightly. "Because you

up. But I'll do whatever it takes to make

m to vanish. But I could

ime. To figure out what I want. And

odded. "Fair enough.

le, "Wouldn't

ushing, me deflecting. By the time

s wasn'

damned if I