He extended his hand like we were strangers meeting at a cocktail party.

"Lovely to meet you."

His grip was firm when I took it, like he was giving me a warning. His eyes locked onto mine with a message I understood perfectly: *Play along.*

I couldn't breathe. My lungs had forgotten how. The balcony tilted beneath my feet, and I had to concentrate on staying upright.

"It's... nice to meet you too," I managed to say.

Stephanie was still talking, her voice bright with happiness. "We met three ...