Arda responded to Gillow’s kiss, hesitant at first but gaining confidence with each passing second. A strange warmth settled in her chest, pushing aside the remnants of her earlier encounter with Luke. It surprised her how easily she let go of that unpleasant moment, as though Gillow’s presence had rewritten the weight of her past.
Her heartbeat quickened when their lips parted, and for a moment, they simply stared at each other. There was something unspoken between them—something neither of them dared to put into words just yet.
Gillow exhaled, then cast a glance at their table. Their plates were empty, the conversation complete. "I think we're done here," he said, his voice carrying an undertone of finality.
Arda nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
He pushed his chair back and sto
