Xavier raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. Before I could react, his hand reached out to tousle my hair lightly. The casual gesture caught me off guard, playful yet oddly comforting, like a brief break in the tension that often followed me.
“You can do it too,” he said, his tone a mix of teasing and sincerity.
I shook my head with a bitter laugh, leaning back against the cushioned seat. “It’s too late for me.”
“It’s never too late to chase your dreams, Zelda,” Xavier replied, swirling his wine glass thoughtfully. “Trust me.”
A faint smile crept onto my lips despite myself. It felt fragile, though, like glass balanced precariously on an edge.
We fell into easy conversation, his warmth and relaxed demeanour making it hard not to lower my guard. It felt
