He caught her wrist gently before she could walk away.
"Where are you going?"
"My sunglasses."
His gaze drifted toward the window. Darkness had already settled outside, leaving only the glow of the lights inside the room.
"It's moonfall."
"I know." She kept her eyes on the floor. "I just... want to cover them."
Evan watched her in silence for a moment, then spoke quietly.
"The last time you wore those sunglasses, did they stop anyone from staring?"
She pressed her lips together and slowly shook her head.
"No."
"Did they stop people from whispering?"
She gave another small shake of her head.
"No."
He let go of her wrist and gave her shoulder a gentle pat.
"Then forget the sunglasses."
She finally looked up at him, her eyes searching his face.
"Let them stare," he said. "Let them whisper. Let them make you the hottest topic in town if that's what they want. People always move on to the next story. Sooner or later, they'll find something else to talk about."
