LIORA
“What the hell is Kael doing here?”
The question landed hard and stayed there, pressing against my thoughts. It felt unreal, like the room had shifted without warning.
Eyes lifted, and his gaze caught mine.
Memories from last night rushed in, sharp and uninvited. The sound of his laugh stood out most. Low. Rough. Honest. It had surprised me, pulled something loose in my chest. I remembered leaning closer just to hear it again, like it mattered.
That man did not exist this morning.
The one standing inside The Midnight Brew was controlled and distant. No humor. No softness. He moved like someone used to being watched, dressed in a charcoal-gray suit that looked expensive and exact. Everything about him was sharp. Last night, he had been dressed in black. Loose shirt. Relaxed shou
