Juliette:
We pulled up to a sleek, modern building tucked between two towering storefronts—glass and stone, glowing softly under delicate lantern lights. It looked expensive, like the kind of place you only saw on TV or passed by on your way to cheaper food.
I blinked up at the name scrawled in elegant Japanese lettering. I’d never even heard of this place.
Cole stepped around the car to open my door before I could touch the handle. He offered his hand with a quiet confidence, and for a second, I hesitated. Not because I didn’t want to take it.
Because I did.
But it still surprised me—how natural it felt.
I slid my hand into his and stepped out, my heels clicking softly against the pavement. His fingers were warm around mine.
He didn’t let go right away. Instead, he slid his hand fi
