“You know,” Victoria said, leaning against the railing of the balcony, the night air cool against her skin, “I never thought I’d be here.”

Zander stood beside her, his hands casually tucked in his pockets. The city lights below flickered like stars, casting a soft glow around them. He turned his head slightly, meeting her gaze. “Where exactly?”

“With you,” she answered, her voice quieter than usual. “I mean, not like this. Not… here.”

Zander smirked, his eyes glinting with something unreadable. “Is that so hard to believe?”

Victoria shrugged, her lips curling into a faint smile. “I suppose… I didn’t expect things to evolve this way. But then again,...