Verity's pov

The food was divine. Each bite seemed to melt on my tongue, a blend of smoky richness from the steak and the tender sweetness of the vegetables.

I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until I was halfway through the plate, my fork moving quicker and quicker while Cassian sat across from me, his elbows propped against the table, chin resting in his hand, simply watching.

I paused mid-bite, cheeks puffed like a squirrel, and narrowed my eyes at him. He chuckled lowly, the sound ...