I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel, my thoughts still circling back to Seraphina. Something about her brief response to my text felt wrong. The single thumbs-up emoji was cold, detached—nothing like her usual messages.
I pulled up to the restaurant where I was meeting Hannah, already regretting this dinner. Every instinct told me I should be finding Seraphina instead.
"Mr. Valois." The maître d' bowed slightly as I entered. "Ms. Norton is already waiting for you in our private section."
I followed him through the dimly lit restaurant to a secluded booth where Hannah sat, wearing a dress that revealed more than it covered. She smiled brightly when she saw me, standing to press a lingering kiss to my cheek.
"Adrian, finally! I was beginning to think you'd stood me up."
I checked my watch. "I'm exactly on time."
Hannah laughed as though I'd made a joke and slid back into her seat, patting the space beside her. I deliberately chose to sit across from her instead.
