Aria's POV
I rolled my eyes as Claire stared at me with that perfectly composed expression. The way she looked at me—like I'm some fascinating puzzle she's determined to solve—made my skin crawl.
"If I say no, will you leave me alone?" I asked her pointedly.
Claire just smiled, her lips curving in that practiced, elegant way. "No, I won't. So you might as well humor me, Mrs. Carter."
God, she was persistent. I glanced around at the luxurious hotel ballroom, feeling trapped. Everyone was watching us—the new Mrs. Carter and the woman rumored to have been Aiden's perfect match for years. The tension was practically visible.
"Fine," I sighed dramatically. "I'll listen to whatever nonsense you want to share."
Someone in the crowd actually laughed out loud at my bluntness. Heat crept up my
