Rhea’s pov

I walked back to the table with a smile already in place.

Perfect. Easy. Practiced.

My hands were steady. My shoulders relaxed. No one would ever guess what they had just done, what I had just done, what still hummed under my skin like a secret song.

I turned the corner. My eye caught the table and there was no Marcus or Elliot either.

They had probably stepped out too. I let out a long breathe. At least this was going to make walking easier.

I reached the table.

Elliot’s empty chair made my heart feel heavier. The realization of what I just did pressing down on me....