Aria pov
The morning after Damien's visit, I woke to a text message that made my stomach tighten.
Lucas Hayes: Hey Aria, hope I'm not being too forward, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about our conversation. Would you like to have dinner this week? I promise I'll only talk business if that's what you prefer.
I stared at the message for a long moment, my thumb hovering over the screen. The timing couldn't be worse—or maybe it was perfect. After last night, after watching Damien cry in Noah's room and feeling that dangerous pull toward forgiveness, I needed distance. I needed perspective.
I needed to remind myself that there were other options in the world besides the man who'd destroyed me.
Aria: Dinner sounds nice. How about Thursday?
His response came within seconds, enthusiastic and warm in a way that felt like sunlight after living in shadows.
