LUCIAN’S POV
Dinner was supposed to be easy.
A quiet, celebratory meal after a long couple of weeks—something that might bridge the subtle distance I had sensed between Sera and me.
The restaurant’s lighting was soft, golden, warm—the kind designed to buffer harsh edges. Gentle music played in the background, and the low murmur of conversation filled the air.
The scent of roasted herbs lingered, mingling with the clink of cutlery and the flicker of candles, giving the whole place an easy, inviting calm.
But none of that could hide the restlessness in Sera’s eyes, and as I watched her from across the table, I realized I had my work cut out for me. Steak and potatoes weren’t a strong enough bridge.
The last couple of times I’d eaten out with her, she’d been ravenous due to her rigorous training schedule.
Now, though, she hadn’t touched much of her food, just prodded at it absentmindedly, her thoughts clearly miles away.
