The private dining room of Le Mirage was bathed in golden light, the chandeliers casting shimmering reflections on the crystal glasses and polished silverware. Ava stood near the floor-to-ceiling windows, her fingers tracing the stem of her wine glass. The city skyline stretched beyond the glass, a glittering reminder of the world she was about to leave behind—or at least, the world as she knew it.
She could feel Liam’s presence before she saw him. The air seemed to hum with his energy, a low, electric current that set her nerves on edge. She didn’t turn as he approached, but she could hear the soft tread of his footsteps, the faint rustle of his tailored suit.
“You’re late,” she said, her voice steady despite the flutter in her stomach.
“So are you.”
Ava finally turned, meeting his ga
