Aiden stared at her, momentarily stunned. Then the corners of his lips curved into a small smirk.

Alina grinned, smoothing out her dress. Aiden reached out, helping her down from the desk gently, while still looking at her like he couldn’t quite believe her boldness.

She turned toward Jesse, who had politely kept his back turned the whole time.

“You can carry on now,” she said casually, brushing imaginary dust from her skirt. “I’m heading out.”

Jesse turned back ...