The door clicked shut behind them, sealing off the rest of the world or at least the cameras and gossip that had followed them all night. Alessia exhaled, her breath trembling, and pressed her back against the solid wood. Her heart raced; her mind tumbled, still not settling down after the onslaught of camera flashes, shallow applause, and practiced smiles. Hard to believe that had all happened just minutes ago. Right now, it felt like another lifetime.
Rafael stood a few feet away, his hands in his pockets, looking relaxed. Alessia could feel him watching her. His presence filled the whole room, big and impossible to ignore. He just stood there, silent, letting the tension stretch and pull between them. She hated how that made her heart hammer.
He broke the silence first. “Did you enjoy
