Aria didn’t go straight to her room.

She stood in the hallway for a moment, her back against the wall, pressing a hand to her chest as if that could calm her heartbeat. Her lips still tingled. Her mind replayed the way his voice had softened, the way his hand had cradled her face like she was something fragile… something precious.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Not like this.

Not so fast.

She inhaled deeply, squared her shoulders, and walked downstairs like nothing had happened.

Dinner was quiet.

Too quiet.

Damian barely touched his food. Aria poked at hers, appetite completely gone. They sat across from each other, the long...