The high-society charity auction should have been completely uneventful for both of them. At least, that was the specific lie Zeraida repeatedly told herself while standing beside Xaviere beneath the glittering crystal chandeliers of the Imperial Crown Hotel's rooftop ballroom.
Unfortunately, pretending that nothing had fundamentally changed between them had become considerably more difficult after their unexpected encounter in the second-floor hallway several nights earlier. Neither had brought up the silent moment since it occurred, yet neither actually needed to speak of it.
Every accidental brush of their hands now felt entirely deliberate and electric. Every lingering glance lasted a fraction of a second too long, and every sarcastic exchange carried an unfamiliar warmth beneath their words.
"You are staring at my profile again," Zeraida murmured through her practiced, radiant smile as press photographers captured them near the main display.
