Evaline:
When my silence stretched too long, River finally leaned back slightly, his gaze never leaving mine.
"Time's up," he said quietly, but there was no mockery in his tone. Just certainty. "You lost."
Heat rushed to my cheeks. I couldn't even argue, not when he was right... I had failed to answer. My lips parted as if to protest, but instead I whispered, "I… I accept my defeat."
Something flickered in his eyes, satisfied and warm. "Then it's decided. Tonight goes as per my plan."
And as though my body had been waiting for that exact cue, my stomach growled loudly, breaking the moment in the most humiliating way possible. My eyes widened, and I felt my face burning hotter. Perfect timing, stomach.
When I dared to glance up at him, he had a knowing smile on his lips... the kind that made me feel even more exposed. He clapped his hands once, lightly. "Then first, dinner. I'll cook for us."
Before I could say anything, he was already leading the way toward the kitchen.
