Evaline:
Dinner finally ended, and I couldn't have fled the room faster if someone had chased me with a pack of raging rogues.
My heart was still hammering against my ribs, my cheeks were burning, and every step I took down the hall felt like running from something... or maybe running from someone.
Before slipping away, I made sure to hand River his coat, his tie, and his phone. I practically shoved them into his hands before I escaped, mumbling a quick thanks that sounded more like a squeak than actual words.
Only when I reached the safety of my bedroom did I let out a deep, heavy sigh, collapsing onto the bed.
How was I supposed to process all of this?
Did I love the food? Absolutely. Every dish had been perfect - flavors that danced across my tongue in ways I didn't think food could. Did River make me nervous? Every single second. His sharp gaze, his calm presence, his way of focusing entirely on me... it was enough to make my pulse trip over itself.
