It was a quiet night in the upper district of the city, stars smeared across the velvet sky as if someone had finger-painted them in a rush of emotion. The glass walls of the restaurant reflected the golden lights of the street below, giving everything a dreamy kind of glow. Stella sat across from Cody, nursing a wine glass between her fingers. She looked distracted, and Cody noticed. Of course, he did. He always noticed when it came to her.
"You've barely touched your pasta," Cody said, tilting his head and narrowing his eyes.
Stella sighed and pushed her food around the plate. "I'm not really hungry."
Cody leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. "What's on your mind, princess? And don't lie. I know you too well."
She looked up at him, lips parting slightly before she answered. "S
