Francesca didn’t want to face him. She mumbled an excuse about needing the restroom and slipped away.

Leaning against the cold wall, she let her thoughts drift, eyes unfocused, waiting for Julian to take the hint and leave.

Ten minutes passed. Then, the faint creak of the door broke the silence as a sliver of white light spilled into the dim room. Julian stepped inside, his figure cutting a dark silhouette against the glow.

Now, it was just the two of ...