Chapter 1 - The Measurements

The door to Matteo's private atelier clicks shut with a sound of finality. Liana takes a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach. This is it. Their third appointment, but this time... this time will be different.

He is already waiting for her when she steps into the warmly lit space, half hidden behind a rack of carefully hung fabrics. His eyes find hers and something hot and electric sparks between them.

"Buonasera, Liana," he says softly, ...