MAYA

The restaurant buzzed quietly around us, filled with the soft clink of silverware, low conversations, and live piano music drifting through the room.

Every now and then, I caught someone discreetly raising a phone in our direction before pretending to go back to their meal.

Being seen with Silas Blackwood came with attention. Being seen on what looked very much like a romantic dinner with him came with even more.

Across the table, Silas appeared completely unaffected by any of it. His focus stayed entirely on me.

"What?" I asked with a small laugh.

A slight curve touched his lips. "You look beautiful.”

Heat crept into my cheeks. "That's...