Lucien POV
The dinner should have made me happy.
Instead, it made me restless.
For the first time in years, I found someone whose company I genuinely enjoyed. Someone who didn't care about my last name, my money, or the influence attached to the Devereux family.
And that was exactly why I knew this wouldn't be easy.
I sat in the backseat of my car, staring out the window as the city lights blurred past.
Aria's smile lingered in my mind.
The way she talked about fashion.
The way her eyes lit up when she spoke about her dreams.
The way she tried to hide her struggles while pretending everything was fine.
I liked all of it.
More than I should.
"You're smiling."
I looked up.
Damien was staring at me from the opposite seat.
"I am not."
"You are."
"No."
"You look ridiculous."
