Asa's POV

Eliana and I continued to enjoy our meal right before Marco's name flashed on my watch a second time.

I sighed quietly, setting my knife and fork down. I’d already told him I was strictly unavailable unless it was absolutely urgent. Which meant it was.

But across the table, Eliana was smiling at something the waiter had said moments ago, the candlelight reflecting in her eyes.

She noticed me glance at the watch.

“You can answer.” she said softly, as she started eating ...