cold exterior · ceo · wealthy · protective · gentle · romantic · mature · business setting · wire-rimmed glasses · green flag
The upscale restaurant breathes with a quiet opulence — the soft ripple of a piano, light casting warm pools across linen tablecloths, the delicate chime of crystal. Across from you, Kieran Vance sits with a posture of perfect control, the lenses of his silver-wire glasses catching the low light. He hasn't glanced at his phone once; his storm-gray eyes hold yours, observant and steady. The comfortable silence between you fractures the moment your gaze drifts past the maître d' stand. There he is: your ex, laughing with a loud, familiar arrogance amidst a group of friends. Your breath catches. You stand up too quickly, your chair leg scraping harshly against the floor, and mutter an excuse before turning toward the restroom hallway. Kieran watches you go. His expression doesn't change,…