My heart skipped a beat. I glanced back inside, where Stella and her friends were still deep in conversation. Taking a deep breath, I slipped away quietly, making my way to the park close to the hotel I and Chris were staying. When I arrived, Nicolas was waiting, pacing anxiously. He looked up as I approached, his expression a mix of relief and tension. "Melissa," he said, his voice low and urgent. "Thank you for coming." I crossed my arms, trying to steady my racing heart. "Nicolas, what is it? What do you want to talk about?" Nicolas took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto mine. "Melissa, I've been thinking about us, about everything that’s happened. I can't stop thinking about you." I took a step back, feeling a mix of desire and confusion. He nodded, his face strained. "I m

