Nina

The doorbell rings, slicing through the silence like a knife, and my stomach flips in response. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself, as I walk toward the door. My pulse quickens, and I can feel the butterflies stirring—something that hasn’t happened in a long time. I run a hand down my dress to smooth it out, even though I know it’s perfectly in place.

When I open the door, there he is. Elijah. Standing there in a sharp suit, looking every bit the picture of someone who’s used to being in control. His eyes slide over me, and I catch the brief flicker of admiration in...