xander was like his father, always needing his daily cup of coffe

nder," I said, closi

out looking up, eyes scann

ething about an investor

Lucian," I

should've met me at t

I think he just wants the chance to speak

to be expected. Especially with the bigger investors.

l pull out," Alexander said, finally setting h

es like you," I replied as he absentmind

hard," I added, maybe

yebrow, eyes l

ed, internally, I was cursing at myself. "Plus, the meet

ly. "Alright then. Wh

I ec

e do this alo

ending another dull night at home with Daphne was fa

.Fi

fice a call and locked i

ent, I made my way down to Jillian's fl

me," I announced as I

up in our... celebration," she sa

her into

on how happy

t tell," she qui

and I couldn't help gush

els... different from my first marriage. Completely dif

that way someda

of it and more," she said, cupp

big day?" I aske

f me wants a beach wedding, the other part dreams of a

Kim Kardashia

back, and we both di

djusted his tie for the umpteenth time, even though it was already perfectly i

"There's no need to worry. You'v

as drawn to them but I knew I had to stop Professional

e I didn't keep yo

f our little moment. I pulled my hand away

, shaking the man's h

t you'd be join

ile. "And he's still getting familiar with the

d gave it a brief shake, h

ar?" he raised

ice," I chimed in smoothly. "D

, shooting Alexander a

that," Mr. Lucian said with a small s

er would've never agreed to meet me here for anything bus

till tapping quietly under the table. "C

k the waiter had just placed before him. "Do you kn

, subtle but sharp like a te

ow me," Alexa

a business associate he became a friend. We built a deep sense of trust,

ze that words alone won't earn your confidence. But I genuin

ve an app

almost uncomfortable, until Lucian b

r muttered with a weary sigh, as if the weight of

ting it handed to them" I said, eyeing t

owed my gaze

w sports?" Mr. Lucian a

't a total lie, I'd never voluntarily switch o

oals," Alexander ch

Mr. Lucian rai

Alexander said wit

en the tapping foot had gone still. The sharp edge of tension that had grip

assionate, and entirely unrelatable to me. With a quiet sigh, I perched on a barstoo

over her eyes. She was watching Alexander, bold and deliberate. He clocked it too, though he d

Lucian's voice rang out from across the room. "It's about time I head home. And

stool to re-join them cool as ever, but with

ipped on his jacket, "I wasn't e

" Alexand

upports Liverpool," L

augh. "Veronica, brush up on your soc

sing smile as we exchanged goo

d, holding up my

id, meeting my palm with h

oed, mimicking h

should trust anyon

ay, and before I could reply, he signalled

over at me, clearly lighter, the s

his head. "How'd you kno

at the TV," I said with a shrug and a

oman sat waiting, clearly growing restless. She checked her phone, glanced at the door, and

cracked through, and soon they were wrapped in an em

ou smiling

people in love," I sa

they're lying to themselv

Is that because you ha

f his drink. "Because when you go

love," I countered g

mused. "Wow. You r

." I

nt. "You're only this hopeful beca

ave. It still doesn't

think love i

candles, serenades, handwritten not

raised his glass. "The

, tapping my glass

n from earlier walked past her eyes locked onto him again. His a

late," I sai

t," he offered, b

ting one last glance in the

haze of thoughts swirling in my head. Each step along the s

That was the line. I needed my heart to know

the woman clung to me like mist. And the twist in my chest, subtle as it was, didn