For a long moment, neither of them moved.
The evening breeze stirred the leaves above their heads, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine. Somewhere deeper in the forest, a bird took flight, breaking the silence before it settled once again.
Ella was the first to look away. "I should go."
She turned to leave, but Lucien's voice stopped her.
"Are you leaving because I'm here or because of what people might say if they see us together?"
She paused. The honest truth was both, if people see them together, they'll come up with rumours.
She looked back at him.
"I don't know you." He said, taking a step toward her.
"That's true, you don't know me, but everyone else seems to think they know me." A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"I've noticed."
Despite everything tha
