The air went still once she stepped out.

Riven’s hand, which had been lazily flipping through a magazine, froze mid-turn. His gaze lifted from the glossy pages and locked onto the figure emerging from the fitting room.

For the first time in a long while, his composure faltered. His eyes stilled, pupils darkening as they fixed on her. The hand resting on the magazine tightened ever so slightly, as though he had forgotten he was holding it.

For a long moment, no one spoke.

...