Damon’s POV
There was a stillness here in the woods that felt rare, almost surreal. As I spread out the blanket under the shade of an ancient oak, I could feel the weight of what we’d uncovered starting to hang between us. But Aria caught my eye and gave me that smile, the one that could cut through even the heaviest silence. It was like she knew the effect she had, and hell if I could resist it.
I cleared my throat, reaching back for my backpack to keep myself from staring like a love-struck i***t. “Alright, now we eat,” I said, throwing in a smirk to keep things easy. I tossed down the blanket, then opened the pack, pretending I had an elaborate plan as I dug around.
“What’s on the menu, chef?” she asked, eyebrows raised with a playful smile.
“Only the finest,” I replied, keeping my
