Different night. Different dress. Different everything.
“I’ve never actually been on a real date,” I admitted.
“You dated Jaxon for eight years.”
“We didn’t date. We hid.” I turned slightly, checking the back. “We had dinner in corners. We met in places where no one we knew would see us. He’d arrive separately and leave first and I’d sit there for ten minutes pretending I was alone because it was safer.” I paused. “I don’t think that’s dating, Lena. That’s hiding with company.”
She was quiet for a moment. I could hear her processing that.
“And this is completely different,” she pointed out.
“This is… he made a reservation. With his name. Kael apparently sent someone to help him choose what to wear, which is information I am still processing.”
Lena made a sound of pure delight. “Kae
