I didn’t have the energy for dinner tonight. Not after the fake laughs and painted smiles of the workshop. I stayed polite through it all. Gave my word to Alexander that I would give this a chance, and I did. But once we returned to the villa, I retreated straight into my room. 

I wasn’t angry. Just tired. 

So when the soft knock came at my door and it cracked open a second later, I wasn’t surprised. I knew it was him. I didn’t even bother to look up. 

“Hey,” Alexander’s ...