Ariana's POV
I arrived at the campus café a few minutes early, my stomach already in knots. The place was busy with students grabbing late lunches, but the corner table Jace had suggested felt too exposed. I sat down, smoothing my simple sweater over my lap, and tried to look normal. My hands wouldn’t stop fidgeting with the strap of my bag.
Jace walked in right on time. Tall, broad-shouldered in a dark hoodie, he scanned the room until his eyes landed on me. He gave a small, careful smile as he approached. It looked almost real.
“Hey,” he said, pulling out the chair across from me. His voice was low, like he was trying not to draw more attention. “You came.”
I nodded, forcing my own smile. It felt stiff on my face. “I said I would.”
He sat down, his knee accidentally brushing mine u
